I have had 3 surgeries for oral cancer. I had cancer removed from the underside of the right side of my tongue and a skin graft the first time. The cancer spread to my gum area and I had two bottom molars removed the second surgery. My last surgery was almost a year ago when it spread to my neck area. This was my second neck dissection as I had a neck dissection the first surgery as well. I have ulcers on the inside cheek tissue. My doctor says this is because the tissue tends to fall into the area where the molars are missing causing my top teeth to rest on the tissue, thus the ulcers. I'm sure the radiation has affected the tissue as well. I have used orajel, lidocaine 2%, and another OC mouth rinse for ulcers. I use Biotene toothpaste and mouth rinse. Does anyone have any other suggestions that might be helpful? Is there anything that promotes healing rather than just masking the pain? Thank you for any info you might have to offer.

Cathy

Hi Cathy,

If in fact your doctor is correct that your sores are related to the missing teeth, have you discussed replacing your missing teeth with your dentist? With out getting involved with a great deal of expense, your dentist could make you a temporary partial denture and if this solves the problem, you can explore other options for replacing the missing teeth.

Jerry

Hello Jerry,

Yes, that is an option. I just know that to try to do that will be a source of irritation as well. That side of my mouth has been very easy to irritate since before my first surgery. It's like having to choose the lesser evil. From previous experience I just believe that would be cause for a broader range of irritation. I think I would rather treat the one area of ulcers if at all possible.

Cathy

Hello Jerry,

Yes, that is an option. I just know that to try to do that will be a source of irritation as well. That side of my mouth has been very easy to irritate since before my first surgery. It's like having to choose the lesser evil. From previous experience I just believe that would be cause for a broader range of irritation. I think I would rather treat the one area of ulcers if at all possible.

Cathy

Dear Cathy,
My name is Gerry. I am new to this site. I had my first surgery for tongue cancer 6 years ago. The first sore I came down with was in the hospital. The intern said it was a herpetic lesion. It was very painful. They gave me apthasol and the lidacine gel. Plus I was on tyl., vioxx, ultram and benadryl(for sleep) from the surgery. I had about a tenth of the tongue removed and neck nodes removed. That year, I proceeded to get bouts of mouth sores. They had been identified as either biologically ubstable bacteria from the cancer, stress related or maybe a form of herpes. The only way to find out would be a biopsy which no one , especially me wants. I have had more surgeries since the first. The sores came the first year almost every month. Salt water is soothing sometimes. Swishing Maalox is soothing too. I usually will take ultram if the sores are real bad. The good news is that I don't get them nearly as much as I used too. Also, sometimes I would take valtrex. It's inconclusive if that works. Chloraseptic lozenges sometimes help. Good luck to you!
Gerry