I had radiation treatment to the tongue, and this damages the surrounding areas, including the blood vessels to the lower jaw. Reduced blood flow makes it much harder for the body to fight infection.

So my question is for other for those who are in the same situation. Have any you gotten an infection in the lower gum? If so, what was the situation and how did it turn out?

Squamous cell carcinoma base of tongue. Lymph involvement unclear; staging placed at "2 or 3." Biopsy 4/18/2008. Treatment: IMRT every day for 7 weeks. Cisplaten once a week to sensitize cancer to radiation. Treatment ended 7/16/08. PET/CT shows no more cancer.