Hi All, well after 5 yrs. I am now having problems with teeth.. and bone loss. My dentist said I will need 3 teeth removed. This is not a happy thought for me.

Anyone else going through things like this? I thought I was doing good job taking care of my teeth but in about 8 months that all changed. It is on right side where the radiation was applied the most.

I will need to see a oral surgeon. I have been trying to find out more information on what I am going to go through.

Thanks Diane

Hi Diane!

As patients that have been radiated to the head and neck we have challenges other will not face. One of those challenges is tooth decay and that is generally two fold, from the dry mouth saliva actually helps keep your teeth clean and healthy and the other is that radiation will continue to damage your teeth over time.

Keep with the flouride trays and keeping a healthy mouth w biotene products and probiotics and keep a good relationship with your dental professionals.

Hope that helps

Eric

Hi Diane!
If you need to have teeth pulled make sure you do the Marx Protocol of 20 HBO before and 10 after your tooth extractions. You do not want to risk osteoradionecrosis. Radiation damage ruined my teeth and they had to be removed. Here is a recent thread about HBO. Best of luck!

http://oralcancersupport.org/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=136251#Post136251

Thanks CristineB for the info.
I am at a loss on the information. I guess I do not get it. If I only have 3 teeth extracted why would I need this type of procedure?? I have not received my appointment yet from the University. Still waiting. Trying to keep the thrush under control as well.

Sometimes the side effects from this Cancer just wear you Down

My husband is also getting close to that five year mark and has been trying to take good care of his teeth with frequency cleanings etc. He just had radiation treatment for the cancer. He had one root canal and one extraction on April 12 and April 13, 2011. He went through 20 hyperbaric treatments before them and 10 after at for 2 hours per day + about another 2 hours per day travel time and at a cost of $2,000. per treatment. Now three months later he has an infection and is on his second round of antiobiotics. The hyperbarics is supposed to help the mouth heal properly after the extraction. Just make sure your dental people are aware of your oral cancer history and also that they do adequate follow up afterwards since we thought Michael was doing well, but now he has this infection. You are right about the long term after effects of cancer and the treatment being no fun.

Barb, Thanks for the information.. Yes, I will be going through this procedure. I am on antibiotics now, I have no date yet when to begin the chamber. I am guessing after I finish the antibiotics. Does this sound right? I am concerned I will end up loosing all.

thanks... take care.

Still waiting to go into chamber. Will be coming up soon just finishing a few cavities. I am on Medicare.. Are these HBO treatments covered?? I can not seem to find any information. Thanks,

When I went thru HBO, my insurance company covered them. I do not know if Medicare will cover this or not. I hope they will as HBO is quite expensive. I have heard cost vary greatly. It can be anywhere from $400 to $2000 per session, with most being around the $700 range. Please post if you have this covered by Medicare as Im sure many members are also Medicare users.

This is a quick follow up.. I have been gone from this Board for a long time. Sorry.

I did go through the Chamber in Nov. and Dec. finished Dec. 24th. Was home for Christmas. It was very helpful in the healing and I could see a difference in the gums. To answer my own question above; Medicare did cover the treatment dives.

Diane

Yeah!!!

Diane, glad you posted. I had wondered how you made out. So nice to see another patient was helped by HBO. Hope you continue to have good health!