| | Joined: Jun 2014 Posts: 38 Contributing Member (25+ posts) |  Contributing Member (25+ posts)
Joined: Jun 2014 Posts: 38 | Hi, I'm almost 4 months from end of radiation and my dentist has recommended a prescription level fluoride toothpaste instead of the trays. I did try acupuncture for a while, but results were only slight for me, so I discontinued it. I am now using the cevilimine 3X a day, and maybe noticing a slight uptick in saliva production. I think I do "mouth breathe" at night-- I'm not sure you can do anything about that. Lately I have noticed it was less dry the first time or two I got up in the night. Recent dental checkup was great, my dentist is keeping me on normal 6 month checkups. I do brush several times a day and my night routine is 1.) floss 2.) brush with flouride & baking soda toothpaste 3.) biotene rinse 4.) prescription fluoride toothpaste.
Head and neck cancer,
Squamous cell carcinoma,
HPV p16, Stage 3N (6/14) Occult origin;
58 year old male 35 rads & 2.5 doses Cisplatin chemo 7/10/14> 8/25/14
1.5 years clear of cancer, at this point.
"This, too is part of Life's Rich Pageant!"
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,606 Likes: 2 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,606 Likes: 2 | JGD99, the first brushing is being negated when you use the mouthwash, unless you rinse 15-20 minutes after the brushing. With the high flouride toothpaste, you should not rinse, either. Spit it out, don't swallow it, too.
SCC Stage IV, BOT, T2N2bM0
Cisplatin/5FU x 3, 40 days radiation
Diagnosis 07/21/03 tx completed 10/08/03
Post Radiation Lower Motor Neuron Syndrome 3/08.
Cervical Spinal Stenosis 01/11
Cervical Myelitis 09/12
Thoracic Paraplegia 10/12
Dysautonomia 11/12
Hospice care 09/12-01/13.
COPD 01/14
Intermittent CHF 6/15
Feeding tube NPO 03/16
VFI 12/2016
ORN 12/2017
Cardiac Event 06/2018
Bilateral VFI 01/2021
Thoracotomy Bilobectomy 01/2022
Bilateral VFI 05/2022
Total Laryngectomy 01/2023
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,606 Likes: 2 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,606 Likes: 2 | I have never used the trays. It's all flouride toothpaste for me, twice or sometimes three times a day. I would try and rinse before bed, provided it's at least 20 minutes later. The mouth breathing is your bigger enemy.
SCC Stage IV, BOT, T2N2bM0
Cisplatin/5FU x 3, 40 days radiation
Diagnosis 07/21/03 tx completed 10/08/03
Post Radiation Lower Motor Neuron Syndrome 3/08.
Cervical Spinal Stenosis 01/11
Cervical Myelitis 09/12
Thoracic Paraplegia 10/12
Dysautonomia 11/12
Hospice care 09/12-01/13.
COPD 01/14
Intermittent CHF 6/15
Feeding tube NPO 03/16
VFI 12/2016
ORN 12/2017
Cardiac Event 06/2018
Bilateral VFI 01/2021
Thoracotomy Bilobectomy 01/2022
Bilateral VFI 05/2022
Total Laryngectomy 01/2023
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2014 Posts: 38 Contributing Member (25+ posts) | | Contributing Member (25+ posts)
Joined: Jun 2014 Posts: 38 | @ Uptown, what part of the first brushing is negated? Do you mean the fluoride dose? I figure it's just mechanically cleaning my teeth, then the mouthwash helps get rid of any food that's left, and the final step, the high fluoride toothpaste stays, I spit, but don't rinse with that last one.
Even if that first brushing is neutralized somehow, the final should cover things, right?
Head and neck cancer,
Squamous cell carcinoma,
HPV p16, Stage 3N (6/14) Occult origin;
58 year old male 35 rads & 2.5 doses Cisplatin chemo 7/10/14> 8/25/14
1.5 years clear of cancer, at this point.
"This, too is part of Life's Rich Pageant!"
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2014 Posts: 79 "OCF across the pond" Supporting Member (50+ posts) | | "OCF across the pond" Supporting Member (50+ posts)
Joined: Mar 2014 Posts: 79 | Hi all
Any tips on saliva function always welcome on here! I use prescription toothpaste never been given the option of fluoride trays when I enquired was told that I didn't need them. I too chew sugar free gum , like Tony using the trident tropical twist plus any of the extra range (UK) brand. For me pilocarpine also known as salagen tablets are helping , I'm learning to manage the side effects but I know others really find them un manageable .
Take care Di
Di 47 none smoker / drinker
T4 SCC left tonsil
1 Cistplatin,30 RAD finished treatment on 4/12/2013
Trismus
First MRI scan appears clear
TX
NG tube 9 weeks
acute vommiting, syringe driver 9weeks
2 month checks
| | | | | Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 2,671 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 2,671 | Gatorade chewing gum was something my son used that helped with the saliva, but don't know if it is still available.
Anne-Marie
CG to son, Paul (age 33, non-smoker) SCC Stage 2, Surgery 9/21/06, 1/6 tongue Rt.side removed, +48 lymph nodes neck. IMRTx28 completed 12/19/06. CT scan 7/8/10 Cancer-free! ("spot" on lung from scar tissue related to Pneumonia.)
| | | | | Joined: Nov 2013 Posts: 37 Contributing Member (25+ posts) | | Contributing Member (25+ posts)
Joined: Nov 2013 Posts: 37 | I use the mentors sugar free gum. It contains xylitol as one of its first ingredients. I agree with uptown in using the fluoride last and not rinsing after.
SCC front left lateral tongue T2N0M0 After neck dissection. partial glossectomy 12/26/13. Perinueral Invasion. IMRT 60gy 30 treatments beginning 2/5/14 through 3/19/14.
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2008 Posts: 117 Likes: 1 Senior Member (100+ posts) | | OP Senior Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Apr 2008 Posts: 117 Likes: 1 | Someone mentioned fluoride, so I thought I'd add this. I'm not using saliva encouragement as a replacement for fluoride gel. I'm still using Omni Gel Dental Treatment 0.4% stannous fluoride once a day. During my last dental visit, the hygienist told me to consider Enamelon products, which in include oral gel and toothpaste. She said both contain stannous fluoride and both can remineralize. I ordered the toothpaste, but I'm sticking with my current gel until I can find out more.
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.
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,606 Likes: 2 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,606 Likes: 2 | [quote=JGD99]@ Uptown, what part of the first brushing is negated? Do you mean the fluoride dose? I figure it's just mechanically cleaning my teeth, then the mouthwash helps get rid of any food that's left, and the final step, the high fluoride toothpaste stays, I spit, but don't rinse with that last one. Even if that first brushing is neutralized somehow, the final should cover things, right? [/quote] I'm not sure what I was thinking. But, I also am not sure why you would want to brush your teeth twice. I guess it's a tie? 
SCC Stage IV, BOT, T2N2bM0
Cisplatin/5FU x 3, 40 days radiation
Diagnosis 07/21/03 tx completed 10/08/03
Post Radiation Lower Motor Neuron Syndrome 3/08.
Cervical Spinal Stenosis 01/11
Cervical Myelitis 09/12
Thoracic Paraplegia 10/12
Dysautonomia 11/12
Hospice care 09/12-01/13.
COPD 01/14
Intermittent CHF 6/15
Feeding tube NPO 03/16
VFI 12/2016
ORN 12/2017
Cardiac Event 06/2018
Bilateral VFI 01/2021
Thoracotomy Bilobectomy 01/2022
Bilateral VFI 05/2022
Total Laryngectomy 01/2023
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