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Chemotherapy causes painful blisters, swelling, badly affecting teeth and gums; Know how to maintain oral hygiene after cancer treatment

Cancer treatment that includes chemotherapy and radiation can cause a lot of side effects in the mouth causing sores and blisters. These affect the teeth and gums as well and can cause cavities, loosening, and injury to the teeth. Hence, it is very important to take care of oral hygiene during therapy.

Ashima Sharda Mahindra

Updated Aug 17, 2022, 07:21 IST

While the treatment kills cancer cells, it affects the normal cells as well including those in the mouth that are most sensitive.

New Delhi: Cancer, no matter where it happens, can take a toll on the entire body. Its course of treatment, which includes chemotherapy and radiation, is also marred with side effects.

While these medicines kill the cancer cells, they affect the normal cells as well including the cells in the mouth that are most sensitive.

Oral Mucositis

Chemotherapy and radiation may cause sores in the mouth, swelling, infection in gums, blisters all over the mouth, pain, discomfort, burning and swelling on the tongue, change in taste, and even dry mouth. These conditions are known as Oral Mucositis which is a common complication that almost all chemo patients undergo.

The ulcers and inflammation in the mouth get cured within three to four days after the therapy is completed.

Oral mucositis at its peak is a very painful and discomforting condition where patients find it very difficult to eat, speak, swallow or sleep comfortably. Doctors usually recommend gargling and using natural products like turmeric and honey which are great antioxidants to get over the ailment.

Dry mouth

Cancer patients also suffer extremely from dry mouth after the treatment which severely affects speaking, swallowing, chewing, or food and risks tooth cavities. Dry mouth is an oral condition that happens due to a lack of saliva production in the mouth. Saliva usually protects the teeth from any kind of infection. Due to the treatment, dehydration causes a decline in saliva production and hence dry mouth.

It is very important to keep the body hydrated with water, juices, buttermilk, coconut water, etc. to avoid this situation.

How to take care of oral hygiene after cancer treatment?

For those who have undergone cancer treatment, it is very important to take care of their oral hygiene. A few simple steps to take are:

Brush your teeth twice a day with a soft, natural-fiber toothbrush
Follow brushing with daily floss with extreme care since after the treatment gums and skin tissues in the mouth would be very sensitive and prone to injuries.
Always use fluoride toothpaste to diminish the risk of carries. According to the American Dental Association, high-risk patients like cancer survivors should use fluoride paste at least 2-4 times every day to prevent any infection of the teeth or gums.
Always use a medicated mouth wash after every meal.

Disclaimer: Tips and suggestions mentioned in the article are for general information purposes only and should not be construed as professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor or a dietician before starting any fitness programme or making any changes to your diet.

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