Gum diseases have been linked to different chronic health illnesses such as heart disease, diabetes, breast cancer, and many others.
The sad truth is, one out of three women treated for breast cancer may develop oral health problems as a result of their treatment. Most people are aware about the effects of these treatments on their bodies, but not on their oral health.
Side effects of cancer treatment include:
- dry mouth
- thickening of saliva
- stomatitis or mouth ulcers
- tooth decay
- change in taste (metallic salty taste)
- fungal infections
- difficulty swallowing
- bone disease
- bleeding gums
- periodontal infections
One out of three women treated for breast cancer may develop oral health problems as a result of their treatment.
These side effects have a huge impact on the patient’s quality of life. Untreated oral diseases can even complicate cancer treatments.
That’s why it is very important to visit your dentist before you begin your cancer therapy to understand more about how your oral health may be affected, treat the problematic teeth, and keep your oral hygiene in check.
Throughout your treatment, your immunity will be weakened, so keep up with your oral health by following recommendations.
- Brush with a soft toothbrush and floss gently.
- Regular visit to the dentist to pinpoint problems before they progress.
- Avoid dental treatments for a week after chemotherapy and when your white blood cells count is low.
