Before treatment
Patients diagnosed with cancer should undergo an oral check-up prior to the start of cancer treatment.
The general lines of action are as follows:
- The necessary root canals (killing the nerve) will be carried out at the latest one week before the start of chemotherapy.
- Non-restorable teeth, wisdom teeth at risk of infection and mobile teeth should be extracted two weeks prior to the start of treatment.
- Cleaning and removal of any tissue irritants should also be carried out.
If the patient has a removable prosthesis ("put in and take out"):
- If it has an inadequate fit, it must be removed.
- If the setting is correct, it can be maintained.
During treatment.
Brushing:
- It should preferably be done with an Oral-B PRO 2000 (CN170109.1) oscillating-rotating-pulsating electric toothbrush for thorough plaque control.
- It should be done 2-3 times a day, for a minimum of 120 seconds each time.
- After brushing, the mouth should be rinsed with water.
- The brush should be air-dried and changed every 2-3 months.
- Toothpaste should contain fluoride, ideally combined with tin, Oral-B Pro-Expert (CN 165793.0).
Tongue hygiene:
- The tongue should be cleaned with a Halita tongue scraper (CN 313585.6).
Interdental hygiene:
- Flossing/threading once a day.
- In case of gingival recession, a suitable interdental brush should be used.
- The floss and interdental brush can be replaced by an irrigator with an alcohol-free chlorhexidine 0.12% liquid reservoir such as Perio Aid (CN 342261.1).
Rinses:
- Rinses containing alcohol should not be used.
- To alleviate the oral dryness characteristic of the treatment, it can be rinsed with a saline solution containing sodium bicarbonate:
- 1 litre of water + 1 tablespoon of salt + 1/2 tablespoon of bicarbonate in a glass bottle that is shaken well before each use.
- Several rinses should be performed daily for 2 minutes.
- Sodium bicarbonate neutralises the acidity generated by the reduced secretion of saliva, thus counteracting the development of caries.
Oral treatments:
- You should see your dentist every three months.
- Treatments that affect the oral mucosa, such as extractions, dental implants or periodontal treatments, should not be carried out.
- In case of dental emergencies during chemotherapy treatment, your dentist will contact your oncologist to arrange the necessary treatment.
- If the patient has a removable prosthesis ("put-on and take-off"), the care of these prostheses must be reinforced during cancer treatment:
- If the prosthesis is made of resin, it should be immersed every night in a solution of Corega Bio-active Oxygen.
- If the prosthesis is metal, it should be soaked every night in a solution of water and betadine (10 parts water to 1 part betadine).