Thanks for the replies. My husband, Jesse, did have periodontal disease in the past and as a result, had what is called splints on both upper and lower gums (I guess it is a replacement for damaged bone that helps to hold the teeth in). The RO told him to have his lower 5 remaining teeth pulled, which he did prior to the start of radiation. He indicated that the upper would not be a problem, as it was fed by a different blood supply. I took this to mean that even if he had problems with his upper teeth resulting from radiation, that it would not be a problem to have them worked on, whereas, if he had problems with his lower teeth, it would result in major problems, as Brian had mentioned, with the possibility of loss of the mandible. He did not recommend that he treat his upper teeth with daily fluoride rinse or make any other recommendations about specific care of his upper teeth. Although his upper teeth were in about the same shape as his lower. No cavities, but still had the splints from years before. I am hoping that if there are problems with the upper teeth, that it will not result in further complications. I would assume, from what the RO insinuated, that to have upper teeth removed after radiation would not be a problem, whereas, to have the lower teeth worked on and/or removed, would be a problem. I just thought it was odd that I didn't see anyone else on this forum make any reference to any difference between the upper and lower. I will hope our RO was correct.
Thanks so much.
Michele