Teeth Issues Post Chemo

Hi Melinda,

I've had 6 extractions in the past year, two teeth disintegrate to near nothing that have been rebuilt by a fabulous dentist, root canals do not take, bone loss in my jaw, and yet more cavities I need to deal with.  Oh yes, and I have a crack across one of my front teeth.

And my poor parents spent so much on the orthodontist!!

although I am sad you all have these problems, I am happy that I am not alone.  One crown already, two more needed (but putting them off until I get my 2012 dental insurance allowance 'cause I've already blown thru the 2011 money), and lots of other issues.   Chemo---the gift that keeps on giving.

I have been putting off the dentist but I do need to go. I have dental insurance but I just dread it and insurance will barley touch the work I need done. I hope that all went well today Melinda.

I'm guessing here, but I believe the connection is that chemo kills all the fast growing cells in your body (since cancer cells are faster than normal cells), and since our mouth is always humming with activity there must be cells that quickly die and regenerate in there. I did hear that our tastebuds regrow very fast, if they did not the first drink of coca cola would render us tasteless for life! 

So maybe it is our gums that grow quickly, and they get very weak with chemo?  Just a guess, but it owuld make sense.

Oh yeah! I hadn't thought about the ooph adding to all of this!

I need to get back to taking my calcium on a regular basis. I'm not so good at that. 

Melindy, thinking of you today, and hoping you are doing ok. Please Check in.

Lost 8 teeth since starting chemo! Found out that if an Oral Surgeon does the removal, it is covered under major medical. They paid quickly. They bridges etc. Are still under dental and are taking their time with payment.

From what I hear, most everyone has some maintenance issues with their teeth after treatment.  

Part of it is that they tell you to avoid dental work if possible during chemo as the bacteria that usually live in our mouths is not good for our hearts if we have a compromised immune system, and dental work of any kind can send it into the bloodstream.  Myocarditis (a heart infection) is rare, but more serious than waiting to fill a cavity later.

That said, after I finished treatment and waited another couple of months as I was advised, I did the full on periodontal scaling thing and had to fill a few new cavities.  All were in areas already filled that got going again during treatment.  What chemo does to hair and nails, it also does to gums.  A year later, they were normal again, but don't be surprised to find that on your to-do list after treatment.  

I had $18,000 worh of damage, and on top of that got dx with Sjogren's Syndrome which causes dry mouth/eyes, skin etc, its an auto immune disorder.  Apparently I had the Sjogren's before the Chemo and the tandum did a number and still is the dentist was like Shit after finding out about the latest dx. Suppose to have another root canal on a back tooth, I am just going to see if she can pull the thing, my body is sick of the needles, poking and general touching by all the dang specialist.