Tons of teeth issues 3 yrs post chemo

JennKeisner

I was just wondering if anyone else has had serious teeth issues years after chemo. I was told that it is possible that the chemo did something to my teeth and it is just now coming out. Am I alone in this or is anyone else in the same boat.  I have had caps come lose, serious deep cavaties etc. 

Sierra

absolutely

I am 9 yrs out

and have a plate now

on the top

as well as other issues

it has cost me a fortune

and Im still paying

)

best on this

Hugs, Sierra

hooptiedoo

I always had strong, healthy teeth until chemo. Since chemo, I have had broken teeth, gum disease, infections, seriously cracked teeth and other problemts that I'm convinced are due to chemo.

spar2

I have had to have root canals and a bridge so yes it did affect my teeth and gums.

dlb823

Interesting post, Jenn!   I finished chemo 6 mos. ago, and am just starting to notice some shifting (like a couple of my teeth are no longer straight), and I also just lost a sizeable filling for no apparent reason. I was beginning to suspect these problems might be chemo related, and I was going to ask my dentist if this is common post chemo.    Deanna 

GramE

I had 4 crowns before chemo.  My only son was getting married and I took the time to get myself all fixed up and raring to go forward.  Then I got the BC diagnosis.   Since then I have had one chipped crown - dentist said that is very rare and she will replace it at no cost.  But I am allergic to antibiotics and she wants me to take a course of them before hand.   I still have 2 of my wisdom teeth and think they may need to come out one of these days.  I have toyed with the idea of having all teeth removed and going with dentures.  It is expensive and painful to keep having fillings, crowns and then still have problems.   

An interesting aside:  I had my eyes checked yesterday and found out I definitely need distance glasses, but no longer need readers.  I sort of knew it, and when I could no longer read street signs when driving, I made the appointment.  My distance vision was previously excellent.   In other words,my need for glasses totally reversed.  

BTW, by the way, MY dentist says chemo had nothing to do with it, but I disagree.

Nancy 

Sierra

I would disagree as well Nancy

and by the way

the first thing they asked me

way back was

if I had taken tamoxifen

think it was..

Hugs, Sierra

best to all

ShariPDX

My teeth were old, but good until ....

BC, Chemo, Arimidex, etc.  I've had several teeth removed, gotten a large creepy bridge, and now two molars that have cracked, so have to have nefarious things done to them.

My main problem with chemo was that all of my soft, mucus (?) tissues like the whole inside of my mouth, my vaginal area and me bum were so sensitive that everything irritated them.  I still have this problem and it's 3 years later.  I've not read of anyone else having this problem, but I am curious.

suzie14

Whoa, can I ever relate to the teeth issue. During chemo I had several fillings just crumble.  Have been on arimidex since jan 06 and have had more fillings crumble, 2 root canals and now feel like I may have 2 more infected teeth...will see the dentist Monday.

 Also the vitreous in one of my eyes ruptured in the Fall of 07 and a month later the other ruptured...the opthamologist had never seen this happen before.

I'm blaming the chemo and the arimidex but I am still dancing with NED!!!!

nelia48

I'm only 7 months out of chemo, but have had a lot of teeth just crumbling away in my mouth!  I also remember that each time I got my chemo treatment, my jaws ached terribly to the point I thought my teeth were being realigned!!!  I could actually hear my teeth moving!  So I'm expecting MAJOR work being done in the near future.  I just want to make sure I'm done with all of this first!

abbadoodles

Nancy, first of all if you are allergic to antibiotics, how can your dentist want you to take them?   Maybe you are only allergic to certain antibiotics and not others.

Also, think mighty long and hard before going with dentures.  You may think you are saving yourself time and money now but there is NOTHING like your own teeth.

I'm two years out from A/C and have not had any issues that I know of.  However, before all this I had needed a few crowns.  I attribute it to old age.

junie

have to chime in after having had a follow-up consult with a periodontist today.    Knew my teeth were in a bad way, but had no idea the extent of problems I've developed.  Could not get either regular dentist or periodontist to admit that my chemo, rads, 5 yrs Tamoxifen, could have contributed to my issues.    It seems that I have about 8 teeth that simply must be pulled; they are beyond saving.   Then will need the deep cleaning and scaling to see what other teeth can be salvaged.   Hoping to be able to go with upper and lower partials rather than full dentures.   Am worried about the cost involved.    Does the Tooth Fairy visit grandmas???  hugggsssss to all and good luck with your teeth issues!!! 

suzie14

junie, I don't think the tooth fairy visits us grannies .  Yep, went to the dentist Monday and another root canal is on the schedule.  Went for the mammo today and another biopsy is on the schedule for july, 7th....please say a  little prayer, ok?....a mass in my remaining boob

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GramE

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diana50

yes, i had also had teeth problems.  mostly during and a couple of years after chemo.  broken tooth...infection....had to have a tooth pulled.  i have always had great teeth....no problems..always flossed...dental cleanings...etc.  (chemo, rads...and arimidex for 5 and half years)

now, 7 years out; my teeth and gums are improved...no problems.  i think the onslaught of treatment really does affect every inch of our bodies..including gums and teeth.  i also think it takes a few years...depending on your treatment...for our bodies to really really heal.

hang in

diana50

diana50

i wanted to add something.  i am using Biotene mouth wash recommended by my dentist.  lots of mouth washes have alcohol in them which dries out the gums...etc.  the Biotene (with calcuim) has really helped my mouth and i have been using it every night after i brush for the last 4 years and i think it has made a difference. hope this helps** try to avoid mouth washes with alcohol as an ingrediant.

diana50

suzie14

Diana, thanks for giving me some hope that things may get better after arimidex. Hopefully I'll be off it in January,2011!!

,

althea

I was getting bleeding gums at an alarming rate this year, a full 4 years post chemo for me.  I have a few fillings, but mostly my teeth have been low maintenance.  Never had a cavity until college. 

Y'all might want to investigate coenzyme Q10.  It's an antioxidant with many benefits, including improved heart health, gum health, and eye health. 

I've also discontinued using toothpaste for quite a number of reasons.  Flouride isn't particularly effective in preventing tooth decay, despite what we've been told all our lives, according to some sources.  Have you ever noticed the language on the box of toothpaste, the part where it says to contact a poison hotline if you accidentally swallow the toothpaste?  This was language in place before all the accidental this and thats from products imported from China.  

I've been using a product called toothsoap for about a month.  Sounds horrible, I know.  I got the cinnamon flavor in liquid form.  It's not objectionable at all.  As far as I know, I wouldn't have to call the poison control center if I accidentally swallow it.  One bottle costs more than a tube of toothpaste, but it lasts way longer.  So far my experience has been good.  Thought I'd share the information on this thread in case someone else wants to give it a whirl.  I got mine at toothsoap.com.

lisaelder1972

         My teeth were destroyed by chemo even my dentist said it looks like meth mouth lol.My teeth simply crumble and fall out.I have all the top teeth extracted but 4 and my dentures are being made at the lab now.We lose so much and have to feel like a toothless hag on top of being boobless,bald,fat and crazy.Whew,I AM bad off now that I see it in print lol.

GointoCarolina

I am so glad I found this! My last chemo was January29,2009,last herceptin October 1,2009.I would have bleeding gums right after my herceptin treatments, thought that was clearing up and just now brushed my teeth and they bled like crazy,I also noticed my gums near the gum line are dark colored.I did just use a regular brush,I normally use an electric.I flossed this morning and had a little bleeding,but nothing like when I brushed,bright red..Any advice for what to do until I see the dentist?I use a natural toothpaste, will look into the tooth soap.Jackie

TRyan

I just wanted to chime in with my two cents:  Yes Jenn, I did/do have a ton of problems with my teeth since I finished treatment.  My Surgeon and Oncologist both insist that my dental problems have no relation to my BC dx.  My dentist said, oh I wish I knew you were starting treatment (back when I was) I would seen you before treatment started and would have set you up with a regimen with Biotene.  Of course, I was upset since I did call his office to cancel my future appointments before I started on chemo.  I told the receptionst the reason I was cancelling, etc.  She should have told me then that he has the Biotene regimen, etc. but it is too late to worry about that.  My point to you is, yes I do have dental issues ($$$ 4 root canals with crowns and two additional crowns since finished treatment).  I do believe they are related, I actually think that it's a combination of chemo and changes/lack of saliva in the mouth that lead to these issues.  I don't know what, short of spending a ton of money, you can do at this point but I do sympathize with you.

Welga

TRyan,

Yes I do believe lack of saliva is responsible. I did not attribute it to chemo but to Femara. Maybe I'm wrong. Also had lots of issues with my teeth since I started on this journey.

goofbumps

Over a period of five years I've probably spent ten thousand dollars through insurance, co-pay and self-pay. Insurance is gone and the economy hit and my teeth are breaking at the gumline, which seems to indicate a vitamin D deficiency. After chemo and rads I was prescribed Arimidex for five years. It's known to deplete the bones so I was also given fosamax as a precaution. Only nobody at the time seemed to know that it depleted vitamin D. I stopped it when I learned, about two years out. I was put on 50,000 IUs of D weekly for six months but my teeth continue to need attention. Now I'm beyond those drugs and still in this situation. I learned by accident that antacids, like prilosec, suppress calcium absorption. I have stopped that, too,now. I don't know if others, like Nexium, have the same effect but I'm back to the otc liquid antacid. I'm trying not to go to dentures. I also read that fosamax patients shouldn't have extractions because that could cause osteonecrotic jaw, which is irreversible. Root canals are preferrable with posts and crowns. Need I say how frustrated I am, too?

goofbumps

P.S. I just went back and looked at some more of the posts. Yes, dry mouth can cause decay, as my dentist told me. These drugs apparently cause a dryer mouth as do antihistimines. It'd be nice to have these things posted in their literature. Of course, it would've been nice to know that hrt causes breast cancer in the first place when they knew this for decades before we were all told to stop. When they told us I was midway through my chemo. All I want is honesty so I can make an informed decision!

Welga

goofbumps,

What drug are you talking about that cause dry mouth may I ask, Nexium or Fosamax or Arimidex?

Thanks

Welga

goofbumps

Welga, I'm no longer on any drug. I was diagnosed in early 2002 and began Arimidex that October, along with fosamax. There have been class action lawsuits out there concerning fosamax and teeth and jaw issues. I took it before they started adding D to their pills, so they had to know at some time that there was a problem. It seems that we don't hear of these odd side effects unless we hear from someone in the same boat or who reads up. As I discovered problems with drugs I discontinued using them, except for the Arimidex. Fos caused joint and muscle pain, too. I have a friend who didn't have bc but she had a problem with Actinel. She had an extraction and trouble healing. I've also heard that these problems often accompany the infusion types of these drugs. Maybe even more so. My osteo doc looked into my eyes and could tell that I had the D deficiency because of calcium in my eyes. Thus I was given 50,000 IUs of D weekly for six months. But I lost my insurance and couldn't follow through with another test. The antacid I've been using is omneprozole, the generic form of Prilosec. I found out a few days ago by accident that it suppresses calcium absorption. The fact that I was taking this drug as needed and before that, Nexium, was on all my records. I don't know if Nexium has the same side effect. I'll be looking into that soon. I was also on levoxyll for my thyroid. I don't know if it has anything to do with my teeth but it gave me muscle weakness. I couldn't carry anything in my arms up two stairs! I fell without warning. Stopped that one, too. No one asks when you go in if you're having specific side effects! Most people, I think, don't read all of the inserts or do their research. Or maybe they don't quite understand what they're reading sometimes. Medical personnel are supposed to know these things if they're listed.  If.  And I think special attention should be paid to these things when the patient has been diagnosed with something that's so mind-numbing as cancer. Between 2003 and 2008 I probably put $10,000. worth of work into my teeth. I don't know what I'm facing now with them. If I were diagnosed with bc again I don't think I could take chemo because of the infection possibility. And if you notice, drugs like Claritan also dry your mouth out. My dentist said dry mouth is the #1 cause of cavities.  You should know about these class action lawsuits. From what I've heard, the first ended in a hung jury and the second fosamax was not held liable. We know there's something there. There's too many of us. But justice, I'm afraid, is only who can present the better case. Good luck with your teeth! If they haven't gotten too bad maybe more is known now about these drugs and your doctor can help prevent more trouble. Are you still on Femara? Be well!

Anonymous

  So sorry you are all having dental problems.  I guess I am extemely fortunate that I have not had any, but since I work in a dental office would be in the right place if I did. Because I work in the dental field I have always sort of been obsessed with my teeth so take very good care of them and was even more careful with them once I started chemo.  I have been on bone strengtheners since my Stage lV diagnosis in 98...lst pamidromate (aredia) and then when the ins approved it,  zometa.  I only found out about it possibly causing osteonecrosis when a patient asked about it one day and afterward I asked my onco. He dropped the dosage a bit, but I still get it monthly.  You are right about dry mouth...it can definitely cause teeth to decay faster...saliva helps with a lot of things and dry mouth is very uncomfortable. There are many meds that cause it, not just chemo. Certain chemos cause bleeding gums and even mouth sores.  Biotine makes a mouthwash as well as a toothpaste that is supposed to help with dry mouth.  I started rinsing with fluoride nightly when I was on chemo . 

GramE...way back you said you were toying with the idea of having all your teeth pulled out and getting dentures.....hope you didn't do this.  

Welga

Hello goofbumps,

I'm also afraid of fosmax my onc wants me on it, but I don't think I'll take it as I also have heartburns, and dental problems. I also heard that the jaw problems where worst with the infusion type. Sorry for the loss of your insurance.....My levels of D are good but does not help my bone loss. I'm on Nexium and it has the same effects on bones, so I know what you mean, but cannot stop it, reflux much too strong.
I was aware of bone loss on Nexium but I had a good reading on my first density test with 3 years of Nexium.
My dentist told me that chemo also can give dry mouth and that I could have lot's of teeth problems because of dry mouth.
I'm so sorry about all the money you had to spend on your teeth, I use to have a customer who was a dentist so I we made exchanges, he is not practicing anymore.
I'm still on Femara but have to talk to my onc soon because I think I will switch to Tamoxifen, for a couple of years. Thanks for answering and let's stay informed about all those side effects as doctors don't always tell us
Welga

Welga

Marybe,
I should have read your post before ansewring to goofbumps post, I am sorry about your worries for necrosis but I would take Zometa if it where prescribed to me as it's a good drug for many purposes. Thanks for the tip on the mouthwash, I have bought it on a poster suggestion (maybe you). I have to get the toothpaste too, but have to order it. You are fortunate to work in a dentist office, as it's so expensive and I personally don't have coverage so I take car of my teeth best I can. Wish you to continue doing well on Zometa

Welga

goofbumps

Hi Welga! I'm not the one who works in a dentist's office but I did think about swapping services[I have a cleaning business].  I now think long and hard about starting new drugs. I try to research them but so often not enough information is offered. When I chose Arimidex over Tamoxifen it was because Tamox comes with it's own set of side effects. Although it's been a terrific drug over the years it can also bring uterine cancer and cancer of the uterine muscle. Sometimes it's not diagnosed soon enough. My onc wanted me to enter a study with Tamox and progesterone to see if the combo would prohibit that side effect. Since I seem to be sensitive to weird side effects [ can't understand why!], I chose Arimidex even though it was midway through trials. I took that chance. I did have dry mouth on it.  While on Fos I had dry mouth and I also had trouble swallowing. I didn't know that Nexium caused bone depletion. I was never told. This is the thing: tell us!  When I first started seeing this dentist I told him what I had found about Fos. He didn't know. A few visits later he said he got literature that was sent to all dentists about the dental problems with Fos and the like. Maybe if our medical teams would ask specific questions about the drugs everyone would know sooner. And I went to a research clinic! As far as chemo causing this, why only some of us? I had a pretty standard chemo. My onc told me she had used it fifteen years earlier on a sicker patient [who was still around!]. I know other women who had chemo who aren't going through this. There has to be something else. And by the way, I heard today that they think they have a blood test to diagnose breast cancer!  It's too expensive right now but it's coming! It just may cut down on mammograms and unneeded biopsies!