Radiation Therapy and Dental Issues

Pita119

Good morning everyone,

This Wednesday, August 8th marks 4 years that I was diagnosed with IDC. While cancerwise, I am doing well, I started having dental issues. Initially I broke a front tooth and noticed my teeth were starting to shift. I've always taken care of my teeth although I get very anxious every time I go. So I saw my general dentist expecting that he probably couldn't fix the tooth but would recommend doing a bridge. He referred me to a prosthosdontist who after an exam, tons of xrays informed me that all of my upper teeth were ruined and the lower teeth had issues but could be fixed. After reviewing my health record, he told me that the radiation therapy I had almost 4 years ago was the cause. I am totally devastated over this. Has anyone had this issue with their teeth after radiation treatments?

moth

I find that hard to believe. I just had my radiation teach last week and they told us that unless you're radiating the head and neck, or into the clavicle, there should be no oral health issues.

Menopause & aromatase inhibitors on the other hand are associated with dental problems because estrogen plays a role in dental health.

"women with a diagnosis of cancer, especially postmenopausal cancer survivors, may experience higher levels of xerostomia and dental caries as well as a possible increase in their risk for periodontal disease due to the substandard estrogen levels associated with the use of AI medications."

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC40750...