Starting Cancer Treatment? Why Your Dental Health Should Be Part of the Plan

When someone is preparing for cancer treatment, there is a tremendous amount to think about.

Dental care may not be at the top of the list—but for some patients, addressing oral health before treatment begins can be an important part of preparation.

How can cancer treatment affect the mouth?

Chemotherapy and radiation therapy can cause a variety of oral complications.

According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, these can include dry mouth, mouth sores and infections. Radiation involving the head and neck can also affect saliva production and oral tissues.

These problems can make eating, speaking and swallowing more difficult and may affect quality of life during treatment.

Why see a dentist beforehand?

NIDCR recommends seeing a dentist about one month before cancer treatment begins, when possible. This allows time to evaluate oral health and, when appropriate, complete dental treatment and allow the mouth to heal before cancer treatment starts.

This timing isn’t possible for every patient, and urgent cancer treatment should not be delayed for dental care.

Instead, the dental and medical teams should communicate about the patient’s individual situation.

Coordination matters

NIDCR specifically recommends providing your dentist with your cancer doctor’s contact information so the healthcare teams can communicate about treatment.

Certain cancer medications can also create additional dental considerations. For example, NIDCR notes that patients receiving certain intravenous bisphosphonate therapies should coordinate dental care with their medical team before treatment begins.

Start the conversation early when possible

If you or a family member is preparing for cancer treatment, ask the oncology team whether a dental evaluation should be part of the preparation process.

At Brilliant Dental Care in Bellevue, patients can discuss their oral health and coordinate appropriate dental care with their broader healthcare team.

If you’re preparing for cancer treatment, contact Brilliant Dental Care to discuss whether a dental evaluation may be appropriate before treatment begins.