Head and neck radiation is used to treat cancer because it kills the cancer cells. It is important to understand that radiation to the head and neck can also harm normal cells, including cells in the mouth.
Some of these areas that can be affected are your teeth, gums, moist lining of your mouth, glands that make saliva and jaw bones. The American Dental Association, ADA, Oral and pharyngeal cancer strikes an estimated 39,000 Americans each year. An estimated 8,000 people die of these cancers annually. Persons who undergo cancer treatment are sometimes unaware that a dental examination is a critical step in maintaining their overall health.
According to the American Cancer Society, other possible side effects to head and neck radiation include a loss of taste, earaches, swelling, loss of hair and your skin texture might change. These side effects can make it hard to eat, talk and swallow. Specific side effects from head and neck radiation may include dry mouth, a lot of cavities, loss of taste, sore mouth and gums, infections, jaw stiffness and jaw bone changes.
The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, NIDCR, explains why it is a good reason to see your dentist at least two weeks before your first radiation treatment and what your dentist can do to during your radiation therapy. You also want to make sure your cancer doctor and dentist communicate before you begin your cancer treatment.
Prior to radiation therapy, your dentist and hygienist will check your teeth, take x-rays, take care of mouth problems, show you how to take care of your mouth to prevent side effects and show you how to prevent and treat jaw stiffness by exercising the jaw muscles 3 times a day by opening and closing the mouth as far as possible, without causing pain, 20 times.
To keep your mouth healthy during head and neck radiation, keep your mouth moist, drink a lot of water, use sugarless gum or sugar-free hard candy and use a saliva substitute to help moisten your mouth. Brush your mouth, teeth and gums with an extra-soft toothbrush after every meal and at bedtime, use a fluoride toothpaste, use special fluoride gel that your dentist prescribes, don't use mouthwashes with alcohol in them, floss your teeth gently every day, rinse your mouth several times a day with a solution of 1/4 teaspoon baking soda and 1/8 teaspoon salt in one cup of warm water and follow with a plain water rinse. If you wear dentures, and they don't fit well, talk to your cancer doctor and dentist about your dentures to make sure they are comfortable to wear.
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