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Friday, March 12, 2010                 Français
You are here: RCP Programs/Services »   Dental Oncology »   Protect Your Mouth During Cancer Treatment

Protect Your Mouth During Cancer Treatment
See Your Dentist
Three Good Reasons to See a Dentist BEFORE Cancer Treatment
 
1.   Feel Better : Your cancer treatment may be easier if you work with your dentist and hygienist. Make sure you have a pretreatment dental checkup.

2.   Save Teeth and bones: A dentist will help protect your mouth, teeth, and jaw bones from damage caused by radiation and chemotherapy. Children also need special protection for their growing teeth and facial bones.

3.   Fight cancer: Doctors may have to delay or stop your cancer treatment because of problems in your mouth. To fight cancer best, your cancer care team should include a dentist.
Taking Care of Your Mouth

 

Brush with a soft toothbrush.


It is important to maintain your regular cleaning schedule during cancer treatments.
Protect Your Mouth
Protect your mouth during cancer treatment:
 

 

Brush gently, brush often
  • Brush your teeth – and your tongue gently with an extra-soft toothbrush
  • If your mouth is very sore, soften the bristles in warm water.
  • Brush after every meal and at bedtime
Floss gently do it daily
  • Floss once a day to remove plaque.
  • If your gums bleed and hurt, avoid the areas that are bleeding or sore, but keep flossing your other teeth.
Keep your mouth moist
  • Rinse often with water.
  • Don’t use mouthwashes with alcohol in them
  • Use a saliva substitute to help moisten your mouth
Eat and drink with care
  • Choose soft, easy-to-chew foods.
  • Protect your mouth from spicy, sour, or crunchy foods.
  • Choose lukewarm foods and drinks instead of hot or icy-cold.
  • Avoid alcoholic drinks.
Keep trying (Quit using tobacco)
  • Ask your cancer care team to help you stop smoking or chewing tobacco.
  • People who quit smoking or chewing tobacco have fewer mouth problems.
Dry Mouth Products

Dry Mouth Products

Fluoride Trays

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