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Dr. Alan Slootsky D.M.D, M.A.G.D., F.A.C.D. Restorative Dentistry / Oral Health October 16, 2014 |
It has been well publicized that there is a growing link between oral health and medical health. Gum inflammation is a marker for generalized inflammation in the entire body. When your gums are chronically inflamed, you are more susceptible to problems with diabetes, heart attacks, pregnancy complications, and recently even Alzheimer’s disease! Blood work confirms that certain inflammation markers, such as HbA1c, and C-reactive protein actually can decrease when your gum infection is under control, which in turn, improves your medical prognosis for diabetes and heart disease. Recently, a link between periodontal disease and pancreatic cancer was discovered due to higher levels of oral bacteria producing higher levels of nitrosamines. But what about breast cancer?
Recently a patient asked, “I have just been diagnosed with breast cancer. Do I need to do anything differently dentally? If so, when is a good time to do that — before, during or after treatment?”
If chemotherapy is part of a woman’s treatment plan for breast cancer, she should schedule a regular cleaning with her dentist before starting treatment. Most chemotherapy agents will suppress white cells, which protect against infection. And that increases the risk that doing an invasive procedure, such as a tooth extraction or deep cleaning will cause infection. This is true usually for about a week after each treatment is given. During this period, the woman’s oncologist can advise her and her dentist about when it would be safe to do a dental procedure. Breast cancer patients should maintain good hygiene — brushing, rinsing and flossing — throughout their treatment.
The most common dental disability from chemo is generalized soreness of the oral soft tissues. Sub-clinical yeast infections, from the fungus candida, can cause difficulty in eating. Since this diagnosis is very difficult to make, the oral physician needs to be very astute to recognize this. The fungus can spread down the throat, making swallowing painful. The mouth is usually dry, and sometimes patients complain of a burning sensation.
Fortunately, there are many new products on the market for dry mouth. I prefer ones with xylitol, and recommend xylimelts, which are lozenges that very slowly melt in your mouth and can be used while sleeping. In addition, there are newer sprays, toothpastes, and mouthwashes today that are excellent.
As of today’s research, if a woman has breast cancer and is treated by surgery or by radiation only, the mouth is not affected. However, there may be an issue for patients who have been treated with bisphosphonates, such as Fossomax, Boniva, and Zometa (there are others) of developing decay in the jaw bone, impeding healing. This is seen following a tooth extraction or aggressive cleaning. The risk is low, but increases if the patient is on chemotherapy.
About the author:
Dr. Alan Slootsky practices dentistry in Pompano Beach. He teaches dentists and has attained Mastership from the Academy of General Dentistry. Contact him at 954-972-100 or www.drslootsky.com
For further information about this topic, or any other dental topic, contact Dr Slootsky at info@drslootsky.com, or call 954-972-1000. Dr. Alan Slootsky is a dentist in Pompano Beach, Florida dedicated to bringing patients state-of-the-art dental care. As a cosmetic, family andrestorative dentist, he helps patients enjoy a natural and healthy smile. Dr. Slootsky has integrated a friendly, hands-on gentle approach with highly accurate and patient-sensitive technologies and tools to both identify and resolve problems in a timely and efficient manner. We know most people don’t like to visit the dentist. That’s why we make every effort to make your experience both as effective and as pleasant as possible.