post chemo dental problems

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sunflower45
sunflower45 Member Posts: 42
edited August 2014 in Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After

I finished chemo and radiation about a year ago and today had a dental exam, the first in nearly a year.    The hygienist told me I had a lot of small cavities and others where the fillings had worn away.  She thought side effects from the chemo and radiation I had could be a cause of the problems.  Has anyone else had this happen to them?   Before the cancer   I had not had many dental problems.

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  • jsutter629
    jsutter629 Member Posts: 13
    edited August 2010

    Hi Sunflower, I had the same experience and had to have several cavities filled and had to have a root canal about a year after treatment. That particular tooth still gives me problems.  I had gone to the dentist prior to treatment too so I know that all of the post treatment issues were new.

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  • coprose
    coprose Member Posts: 1
    edited August 2014


    I had chemo and radiation in 2007 and I have had continous dental problems since then.  I have lost two teeth after root canals and I have had a third root canal and I believe that tooth is now cracked.  I have a fourth tooth that is starting to hurt. 

    Is there anything that will help slow down the decay and cracking?  I have read to use fluoride treatments every day?  My dentist is a breast cancer survivor and she has no problems with her teeth and she thinks I am crazy. 

    Help. Any suggestions will be appreciated.

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  • ChemicalWorld
    ChemicalWorld Member Posts: 172
    edited August 2014

    I did my chemo in 2010/11 and have been on Tamoxifen since.  This past year I've had a lot of dental pain and my most recent check ups have shown noticeable bone loss.  I'm also grinding my teeth a bit more. Tamoxifen affects our bones, I'm sure it must weaken our teeth too. 

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited August 2014

    Bone density treatments (to counnter bone loss) can sometimes affect your jaw negatively. For for the best source of information, we would suggest you talk with your dentist as they are the professionals. When you make your appointment, provide details of the chemo drugs so the dentist has a chance to do research before your appointment.

    Pain, stress and anxiety can all cause teeth grinding while asleep and that can be a cause of tooth stress to cracking point. Sometimes a tooth tray (used when sleeping) can decrease grinding forces and so, protect the teeth. Talk to your dentist though as they can better assess your dental state.

    The Mods

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