I have been using the phos-flur because its so easy. The trays are a hassle for me. The gel burns my tongue and my info sheet from UF sais if you don't overflow the trays you are not treating the teeth all the way to the gumline.

I am not sure how the phos-flur will work out long term. I just started oral intake 10 days ago after 7 months on g-tube. 5 cans of ensure plus, some semi solid food and then fruit is a lot more of a challenge for the enamel than nothing.

One of the issues is that the phos-flur is ONLY 4.4 mg fluoride per 10 ml swish which is 0.44%. The stuff that is used with the trays is 1.1%. Plus with the swish you can�t be 100% sure where the treatment is going.

I�m going to try the trays in the shower though. Maybe I�ll do trays a couple times a week and swish the others. Thanks for the ideas.

Mike


age 53 TxN2bM0 stage IV tongue and 2 nodes, non smoker, non-drinker, heavy plastic wrap exposure 25+ years, 2 surgeries, neck dissection, 60 GY IMRT+ cisplatin X5 completed 07/09, new primary on tongue 11/09, biopsy got it all, praise God!

I have been using Oral B, Neutra-Foam, 2% (0.9 Flouride Ion), with my trays. It is a foam and easy to apply in the trays. Non burning, pH neutral, 4 minute application, prescription only. Stronger flouride is available - if you can talk your dentist into it.

The new stuff the hygenist uses in the office is a "paint on" flouride.

Dental care is going to be a lifetime issue after radiation. Your gums are going to take a beating, you will have root exposure and complacency can be a dangerous risk. There is no esceape from this, unless you have dentures of course or want to gamble with Osteradionecrosis.

Flouride can be toxic if ingested. Unless you're a male between 6 and 8 years old, there doesn't appear to be any cancer risk. This has been a controversial subject since municipalities started doing it.

See http://www.webmd.com/cancer/news/20060406/does-fluoridation-up-bone-cancer-risk

I started using my trays 1 month pre Tx and except for a few miserable days during Tx I have used them every night since.

I was told to use the trays for 4 minutes daily, and the dentist - this was the specialist who examined me before RT and who made the trays - said that a small line of the stuff squirted into the trays would do the trick. (he gave me a tube of one brand of stannous fluoride 0.4% when I visited him, the name of which I forget; now I'm buying Gel-Kam through Ebay or Amazon)

Some of you have written that you leave the trays in for half an hour. That's a long way from 4 minutes! Is this something a dentist or oncologist recommended? I'll certainly ask my regular dentist about this next time I see him. Ditto the idea of that mouthwash substitute someone wrote about.

Thanks.
David 2

According to my prosthodontist, the .4 persent stannis flouride is stronger than the 1.1 percent sodium flouride. I put the trays in when I shower and use Gel-Kam fruit and berry flavor. This does not burn my mouth. Trays are supposed to be in for about 20 minutes. Best time is in the evening before going to bed.

Eileen

My instruction were to keep the trays in for five minutes and not to eat or drink anything for an hour.

Nothing was mentioned about when (AM or PM), just to do it daily (I plan to ask about this though).

I was switched from the .4 Stannous to the 1.1. Sodium because the Stannous was staining my teeth. I was told with frequent use (pretty much daily in our case) that the difference between Stannous and Sodium fluoride isn't a concern.

Verrrrrry interesting. Thanks to you both, Eileen and Don. We seem to have a significant difference of advice in re time: Eileen's 20 mins vs. Don's 5 and my 4 (it was recommended to me to use the trays just before bed as well).

Wonder if there's a "right" answer??

D2

Yes, I did forget to mention that the .4 stannous fluoride does stain your teeth badly. Actually I think I was told a half hour, and nothing to eat or drink for another half hour. Dr. Mike was the one that said it is better to use it in the evening.

So what are the names of the 1.1 sodium fluorides you guys are using? I'd like to try one and see if it doesn't stain my teeth.

Take care,
Eileen

Follow the instructions for use by the manufacturer, unless your health care provider instructs you otherwise.

I named the stuff I use in my earlier post. You will need a prescription.

I was told (I use the 1.1) that I had to keep them on for at least 3 mins and not drink, etc for 30 and I was told bedtime was best since I wouldn't likely eat or drink after I put it on so i just put mine on and keep them on for the whole 30 mins and then go to sleep. I have never had a problem with burning or anything else except if I happen to forget to put my trays away in a drawer one of my cats will take off with them and they are hard to locate and often chewed up a bit when I find them.