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The Dental Side Effects of Head and Neck Cancer - Have You Been Warned

Posted by Drummerboy @drummerboy, Jan 21, 2018

When I was diagnosed for the third time, with head and neck (right tonsil) I was not given any warning, advice, counseling at all about the side effects to come with my teeth. After 25 radiation treatments to the neck, my teeth proceeded to fall out over the course of 2 years. They chipped, broke, wore down like horse teeth, literally fell out, etc. I asked the Oral Surgeon at Vanderbilt about having them removed and was told that since I had radiation that I would now have to have HBO, Hyperbaric Oxygen treatments, 30 of them, at 1.5K each. I couldn't afford it and insurance wouldn't cover it. I eventually had them all surgically removed and luckily didn't have any more problems. I wrote an article to warn and educate about the hidden side effects of radiation for head and neck patients. You can read it here>> http://bit.ly/XmCkBe

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Head and Neck Cancers group.

I was referred to my dentist by my radio oncologist. I had asked for the trays and they said I didn't need them as they were applying them from the dental office. I do not remember how long it was till I lost most of my teeth, It was like they just disappeared. I read they are called carries. Radiation Cavities, it took me about 5 years until I got my teeth back. It was one roadblock after another. Another terrible thing that happened was people were treating me meanly or nasty, I looked like I was going to die as I had lost 25% of my body weight. I went from 168 to 129. The weight loss made me look mentally ill. I couldn't even look at my face in the mirror. Today I am at about 175 still feel sick as hell all the time but I am still chugging with Alzheimer's and AIDS

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My wife has the same tooth problem and we still can’t get her dentures to work after many months of trying!
Wish you the best!
Before losing weight suggest others facing similar challenges consider using a stomach tube PEG to sustain your weight. Easy to install and use! My wife list only 10 lbs. and got food (on an incline) while sleeping.

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@debskaltsis

I am a thyroid cancer survivor, which while in the neck is usually separated from the head and neck cancers, and tooth decay after radio iodine is a big problem for all of us. It seems like our endos rarely mention this as a potential side effect as they prepare us for RAI, and we all wind up spending tons of money for dental work that might have been prevented had we been warned ahead of time to get a deep cleaning and fluoride treatments. In my opinion warning about this should be part of the standard of care.

Deb

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Afternoon : I was diagnosed w/Parotid Cancer Bed n April of 2019 (5/2019 started Radiation 10/19. Having lots of problems w/pain losing teeth can't get anything prescribed for pain other then OTC which doesn't really help I had planned to get dentures had to wait 1 yr. after treatment my last treatment was 12/24/2019 . But b4 i could see abt. dentures i'm have started rec. SHOTS N EYE for severe case of GLAUCOMA , FLUID & PRESSURE , 4 urs ago i got shot n same eye for " BUSTED BLOOD VESSELS N EYE ". Trying to decide if i should get dentures r wait till eye treatment after eye treatment ?.

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@wjcrawford04

Afternoon : I was diagnosed w/Parotid Cancer Bed n April of 2019 (5/2019 started Radiation 10/19. Having lots of problems w/pain losing teeth can't get anything prescribed for pain other then OTC which doesn't really help I had planned to get dentures had to wait 1 yr. after treatment my last treatment was 12/24/2019 . But b4 i could see abt. dentures i'm have started rec. SHOTS N EYE for severe case of GLAUCOMA , FLUID & PRESSURE , 4 urs ago i got shot n same eye for " BUSTED BLOOD VESSELS N EYE ". Trying to decide if i should get dentures r wait till eye treatment after eye treatment ?.

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I have a friend who is going through radiation and chemotherapy for oral cancer (tongue.) So far, no complaints about his teeth, which is a blessing, as Im not sure how they could treat any dental problems, as he cant even open his mouth (removal of 2/3 of his tongue and reconstructive surgery....tongue so swollen still, cannot open his mouth)
I am shocked that you cannot be prescribed anything for pain. While I understand the big push to minimize the use of opioids/narcotics, expecting someone to tolerate such pain is ridiculous. I know from experience, I've had to advocate for my friend regarding medications. The surgeon was pretty much useless when it came to this, but luckily, the hospitals pain management clinic became involved, and he was prescribed several medications. Actually, several changes took place to ensure he was getting the best pain control possible. The insurance companies are another story.....
You should look into the pain management clinic where you are treated, or ask for a referral.
Best of luck to you!

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@maps

I have a friend who is going through radiation and chemotherapy for oral cancer (tongue.) So far, no complaints about his teeth, which is a blessing, as Im not sure how they could treat any dental problems, as he cant even open his mouth (removal of 2/3 of his tongue and reconstructive surgery....tongue so swollen still, cannot open his mouth)
I am shocked that you cannot be prescribed anything for pain. While I understand the big push to minimize the use of opioids/narcotics, expecting someone to tolerate such pain is ridiculous. I know from experience, I've had to advocate for my friend regarding medications. The surgeon was pretty much useless when it came to this, but luckily, the hospitals pain management clinic became involved, and he was prescribed several medications. Actually, several changes took place to ensure he was getting the best pain control possible. The insurance companies are another story.....
You should look into the pain management clinic where you are treated, or ask for a referral.
Best of luck to you!

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Thank U for the input & so, sorry to hear abt. ur friend's situation. I will pray on behalf of ur friend. I was told that chemo wasn't effective as RADIATION & i don't know what i would have done if i had to do BOTH. These people who have put EVERYONE N THE SAME BASKET W/MISUSE OF PAIN MEDICATION , WHICH ISN'T FAIR. I wouldn't use them if i didn't NEED THEM . I'm n pain everyday from 2 back surgeries 2002 & 2004. They care less abt. Our Pain only what Insurance Companies say. I hope ur friend's health will improve as the weeks pass by. GOD'S BLESSINGS TO U & UR FRIEND.🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏💗💗

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@wjcrawford04

Thank U for the input & so, sorry to hear abt. ur friend's situation. I will pray on behalf of ur friend. I was told that chemo wasn't effective as RADIATION & i don't know what i would have done if i had to do BOTH. These people who have put EVERYONE N THE SAME BASKET W/MISUSE OF PAIN MEDICATION , WHICH ISN'T FAIR. I wouldn't use them if i didn't NEED THEM . I'm n pain everyday from 2 back surgeries 2002 & 2004. They care less abt. Our Pain only what Insurance Companies say. I hope ur friend's health will improve as the weeks pass by. GOD'S BLESSINGS TO U & UR FRIEND.🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏💗💗

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That is appreciated. God bless you, too!

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Thanks for the suggestions and insight. I think this is often overlooked. C

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Thank u for the info. on the after effects of radiation i'm experiencing the same w/my teeth & my Oncologist never explained the effects all he says is " go to a dentist ". The pain is unbearable & he want give me any pain pills. I have teeth fall out while eating they ( teeth ) was n hardable condition. I had planned to have them removed but i was diagnosed w/parotid acina caner. My world was turned upside down. Went thru 36 RADIATION TREATMENTS lost 30 lbs. it was HORRIBLE EXPERIENCE . I was told i had to wait 1 yr. b'fore i can go to dentist last treatment was 12/24/19. Then my vision got bad have to get shots n eye. I went for 18mos back n 2016 after brain surgery had cyst on pituitary gland. After receiving treatment for RADIATION started seeing floaters went to eye dr. he referred me back to Eye Institute severe case of GLAUCOMA . It's a HORRIBLE EXPERIENCE one illness after . another i'm n REMISSION now but other illness keeps popping up. AT A LOST depression has set in.

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@esther2k5

Pjconley5
So sorry to hear that. I was (mis)treated at Dana Farber as well for my stage 4 squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue.
Though I refused radiation & chemo, I still have long term nerve damage including balance problems and some hearing problems from the neck dissection so I truly feel terrible for what happened to you. I totally agree with you about Dana Farber. But thankfully we're still here to commiserate about it.

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When you first found out you had this did it feel like you were swallowing lil pieces of glass? I go Thursday for the biopsy on the back of my tongue and scared to death

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@outlaw6326

When you first found out you had this did it feel like you were swallowing lil pieces of glass? I go Thursday for the biopsy on the back of my tongue and scared to death

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No, my SCC was on side of tongue. Biopsy was definitely not pleasant but it was quick and bearable. I knew it was absolutely necessary.

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