Hi

My question is about floride trays. My gums are bleeding pretty badly. My dentist said to back off and use the trays only 2x per week as the flouride could be irritating the gums. My dentist gave me Colgate's PreviDent 5000 Plus to use in the trays I know that there are flouride sprays available that may be a better choice.

Today at the Cancer Center I heard that there is some controversy about using flouride during radiation. Some radiation oncologist advise against it until after radiation is completed.

Has anyone had problems with flouride trays during radiation? Can I save my teeth with meticulous hygene and Biotene products until radiation is over? I think the first priority is to heal up my gums. My teeth were in great shape going into this.

I'm now in my 2nd week of treatment. My mouth is pretty sore from from thrush that started last weekend. I'm taking diflucan which seems to be working. I've also increased the Acyclovir(for herpes) to a treatment dose. I have the Magic Mouthwash.

I'm just worried about my teeth.

marilyn

I can't guess what is right for you, but when I got my fluoride trays my dentist told me that during rad treatments you can go from 0 cavities to a whole mouthful in a very short time. Rad on the face/neck area decreases saliva, and decreased saliva leaves a breeding ground for plaque. He told me plaque is sticky and without saliva to cut it, it clings to teeth and really amps up your risk of cavities. I notice for myself, since my tongue is so sore, I can't do the normal "tongue-scoop" of excess food like I used to. Not that I can eat much anymore, mind you.

but anyhow, I plan to keep using the fluoride as long as I can. My dentist recommended 30 minutes a day, and if I need to I'll drop the time I spend with the trays in.

Good luck, Marilyn!! Got my fingers crossed for you!

what kind of flouride are you using? If it is the older style stannis flouride gel, it is really hard on your gums. It has to stay on for so long, that it really starts to burn.

My oral surgeon (also my cousin) switched me from 10 minutes a day with trays and stannis flouride gel to one minute Oral B flouride foam.

Instead of trays, I would simply put a "blob" of foam in my mouth, move it around my teeth with my tongue, and expel it after a minute or so.

It was way easier on my gums, and less of a hassle. I still use the foam, now about half the time with trays and half the time without.

I'm a year out, and I have no problems with cavities at all. I think this approach worked well, for me anyway
Wayne

Like Wayne I also still use the Oral B foam. It is a presciption foam so you have to get it from a dentist. I use it with the trays I had made before treatment. It's pH neutral so it shouldn't irritate your gums.

Marilyn,

I started using the trays with the gel 1 month before my Tx began and I keep them on for 30 minutes each day. I used them throughout my entire Tx, sans a few bad days, and I am still using them 9 months post Tx. I had no problems at all and I have been back to my dentist 3 times since Tx ended and my dentist continues to give me the gel tubes each visit.

Thanks everyone!

I just called my dentist and asked him to order the one minute Oral B Flourdie Foam.

My gums finally stopped bleeding after 2-3 days without the gel. My dentist told me to leave the trays in overnight. No wonder I had trouble.

I'll let you know how the Foam works

marilyn

My dentist finally came through with the flouride foam! It took him 4 weeks.

I'd given up on him and got from the radiation onclologist the name of a dentist more helpful to oral cancer patients. I hadn't called the new dentist yet as I'm now in week 5 of treatment and not feeling too great.

Anyhow, the foam is great and it's good to have the name of an alternative dentist in case I need it in the future.

Thanks for your help.

marilyn

I was given a 1.1% gel of sodium flouride gel made by Sypress. It is supposed to stay on for 1 to 2 minutes max, then spit it out but don't rinse. I have not had any problems with this but I'm only just finishing the first week of treatment. I have not heard about the Oral B foam, which woulds excellent. But this particular gel with the shorter time period has worked well for me.
David R.

I also use the sodium flouride gel and have had great success, so far. I used it during radiation and am still using it 3 mos. post tx. I simply brush it on like toothpaste and follow David's directions.

Oral B or Butler Neutral Ph Foam, is used in much the same manner as the gel. Only keep the trays in for four minutes (and don't rinse for 1/2 hour). No big deal.

In the past some have complained about the gel making them nauseous and also the burning sensation that some have described.

I was able to use the foam all throughout treatment with no adverse effects.