MKlein,
At my first consultation with my radiation onocologist, he sent me to my dentist to get the fluoride trays made. He told me that there is a theory that wearing your fluoride trays DURING rad helps protect your teeth. I've been doing that, and I'm positive it's helped. My tongue is going all white, but the very tip of the tongue where the trays sort of protect it still has feeling in it.

The doctor asked if I'd mind if they tested my teeth, so today I took a treatment without the trays. I had to bite down on a little teeny square sensor thing during the rad; tomorrow I'll wear my trays and bite down on the sensor again and they'll get a picture of whether the trays are helping or not.

So far the trays aren't too uncomfortable. I'm happy to wear them, as after my first rad, I could feel a real "zing" from my fillings. Whatever I can do to protect my teeth during this process is a good thing.

I thought I'd hate doing the fluoride every day (30 minutes a day), but I don't. My tongue doesn't move very well right now and my saliva is minimal, so I know food is not washing out of my mouth like it should. The trays and fluroride are good protection. After all this crap is over, I hope my teeth will still be in OK condition.

Good luck to you!
Susan in Oregon