chemo and tea tree oil for nails ... but

JenniferAlice · 02-24-2008, 07:27 PM

The smell of the tea tree oil is so bad to me (even before chemo). I know it is supposed to prevent discolored and lifting nails, per my onc. But is there anything else that works?

Also, does Pro Health Crest mouthwash work as good as biotene?

Thx-
Jennifer

~Bellydancer~ · 02-25-2008, 03:51 PM

Biotene was created for people suffering from xerostomia (dry mouth). I believe it has a higher fluoride content than the regular mouth rinses. Check the lable. I find out more info for you.

harrie · 02-25-2008, 10:42 PM

Jennifer, can you be a bit more specific with your question regarding what will "work" better, Crest Pro Health or Biotene?
I can probably give you some good advice, but will need a bit more information.
They are both very good mouthrinses. Biotene is not only good for dry mouth, but also good if your mouth is susceptible to canker sores.
By the way, Crest Pro Health does not contain fluoride, but it is a good anti-gingivitis and anti-plaque mouthrinse.
Harrie

goops · 02-26-2008, 06:02 AM

If you are using the mouth rinse to prevent mouth sores, my oncologist just had me rinse my mouth with salt water - it worked very good. I used sea salt because it has all the healthy things stripped from salt.

~Bellydancer~ · 02-26-2008, 10:21 AM

Jennifer,
I did some research on the two products. Biotene contains xylitol as a sweetener which has anticariogenic ( anti-cavity) properties. It appears to be more soothing and promotes to the tissue. I would advise it's use if you are using a commercially prepared mouth rinse. Pro-health mouth rinse has a lot of chemicals in it and it apparently has cause brown staining of the teeth. As a Dental Hygienist, this sound like Chlorhexadine staining, there is also evidence of Black Hairy tongue and loss of taste. Again that sounds like Chlorhexadine, which is ONLY recommended for short term use and usually after Periodontal Surgery as healing initiates.
I have found that I have had good results with baking soda and H2O to neutralize irritations and salt H2O rinses for the sore throat. I periodically use a Tea Tree based mouth rinse and have had no ill effects. If you floss daily and brush effectively with a soft brush for at least 2 min, there should be no worries about breath mal-odour or decay. I use a sonic brush, as I feel, professionally, that it cleans the best and is gentle on the tissue. Most oral irritations run their course in 7-10 days. If you are plagued but "canker sores" salt water is really the best, when used 3-5 time/day.
email if you need more info.

Patty F · 02-26-2008, 10:22 AM

I found that during the a/c treatments that if I kept cold water in my mouth during the treatments I did not have 1 mouth sore. I am going to try this during taxol also.

Believe51 · 02-26-2008, 10:48 AM

Ed eats frozen popsicles during his A/C treatment and has successfully made it to his 6th one w/o any mouth sores. Like suggested, keep that mouth cold girl! He too uses the Biotene but alternates with gool old sea salt. As for the nails, do a pull down search and you will find our posts containing that information. Good luck with things and let us know how you made out>>Believe51

JenniferAlice · 03-02-2008, 07:57 PM

Hi all-

Thanks fot all the great info.

Rinsing with salt water sounds great to me, makes sense too. The Crest Pro health I think is causing me some irritation even the the taste is much better for me than the Biotene.

Finally feeling better after my first TCH treatment.

Once again - much thanks!

Jennifer