 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,219 | Hi Helen,
Welcome to OCF and sorry that you have had to join us.
As a dentist, I will address the the question of brushing your teeth. You can well imagine that I had similar concerns to yours after my partial glossectomy. The nurses provided me with a sponge on a stick that is used for cleaing the teeth. The first few days it will really be impossible to do any tooth brushing. Don't worry about using any paste with the brush. Your main goal is to get the plaque off and this can be done without paste. As soon as you can tolerate it, do the best you can with the sponge. It will get easier, daily. If they don't have these sponges in the hospital or something similar, perhaps a family member can pick some up for you. Flossing will take longer to get back to.
Good luck with the surgery.
Jerry
Jerry
Retired Dentist, 59 years old at diagnosis. SCC of the left lateral border of the tongue (Stage I). Partial glossectomy and 30 nodes removed, 4/6/05. Nodes all clear. No chemo no radiation 18 year survivor.
"Whatever doesn't kill me, makes me stronger"
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