Teeth

[suzan w]

How are everybody's teeth holding out? May seem like a silly question but chemo, arimidex and other factors have done a number on my teeth. In the past ten years they have really deteriorated (yes, I know I am also 10 years older!). Am undergoing total mouth reconstruction now...Crowns for all. My dentist thinks there is probably a correlation with all the cancer treatments. Any thoughts? Oh...and because teeth are not considered medically necessary...not covered by health insurance. Go figure...

[tricia keegan]

Suzan I agree and chemo has done a number on my own teeth too, I also notice they're far more sensitive than they were, and don't even get me started on my eye sight! Still, its a small price to pay for NED though:)

[PinkGirl]

Me too. Before I started chemo I went to my dentist for a cleaning and check up. Everything was fine. Had a tooth pulled during chemo and have lost 3 since my treatments ended.

[lkc Gumby]

not silly at all Susan!
My mom had lots of trouble with her teeth, post treatment and I am the same. It's almost like my teeth are not only more porous but also spaces between the teeth are wider now.

[Becky]

Bad, bad, bad. I got a crown, an inlay/onlay And - last May I cracked a tooth below the gum line. I had to get it extracted. Had an implant put in in Decembwr. Had a lump biopsied (was a lipoma) and I FINALLY got my new tooth on the implant last Tuesday. At least I don't look like a hillbilly anymore. After chemo, I needed tons of cavities filled. I think its because the mouth gets so dry .

I work hard at trying to keep my mouth in shape and I am much more diligent at flossing and using Listerine. I am also careful as I don't want to crack another one. Besides all the pain and painful procedures, even with dental benefits an implant is very expensive.

So YES, I have had alot of dental issues too.

[SoCalGal]

Spent thousands on the teeth since 2012. It's been an on-going nightmare but seems to be shhhhhhh quiet right now. Cavities galore, bridges, new crowns, despite being diligent w/oral hygiene and teeth cleaned every 3 mos. This is definite side effect from chronic dry mouth from treatment, dehydration, and yes, when we age gum recession is normal but this amount of loss is extraordinary.

First dentist was alarmist and more scared than me. Fired him. New dentist for past few years is a doll and a "can do" attitude. He just stays steady and keeps fixing things as needed.

[StephN]

Sorry to hear about your teeth Suzan! I have dental ins, which pays for half the cost of a crown, and I am grateful for that!

I would not normally hype a product here, but ---

Biotene - both toothpaste AND mouthwash - for dry mouth. We already had it for hubby and I became a strict user when I started hard chemos in 2000. Since my hubby uses it his tooth loss has completely stopped.

I have had normal issues with ancient fillings cracking needing crowning. I am very careful about not eating really hard crunchy things (like popcorn, corn nuts, etc.) and have never chewed gum.

Getting my 4th crown "seated" on Monday. I already had one when I began treatment and the other two happened probably 7-8 years ago. So, not too bad a record.

However being hormone neg, I did not need ongoing treatment for that, although not sure about harm to teeth and gums from hormone suppressors.

[Debbie L.]

Me too, Suzan. Thanks for asking the question. I've thought to ask it before but have stopped myself, worrying that it's too trivial, in the big picture of breast cancer stuff.

In the past 5 years or so, it seems like every time I go in for a cleaning, the dentist suggests a new crown, due to cracks. My mouth is getting very expensive, even with insurance.

I have not had trouble with cavities, though. I'm guessing (but don't really know) that dry mouth issues = cavities, and something else = cracking?

I've assumed (but again, don't know for sure) that it's chemo aftermath, as I don't think most people have so much trouble at 63. Next week, when I'm scheduled to start yet another crown, I'll ask the dentist (both about dry mouth/cavities, and what could be the cause of cracks). I really hate dental work. I spend the whole time in an internal dialogue -- "okay, deep breath, relax your fingers that are clenched to the armrests". That lasts for about 30 seconds and then I have to do it again. At least my dentist is ultra-gentle, and stops for more novocaine at the slightest wince.

Debbie Laxague

[Becky]

Ask for laughing gas. Seriously, used it during the last 2 procedures and it helps alot.

[tricia keegan]

Me too Debbie, I've had a major phobia since I was a child and add a couple of bad incidents as an adult and now I'm a nervous wreck and only push myself to go when in pain....may try Becky's suggestion.

[Yorkiegirl]

Oh my word don't get me started on teeth. Before Chemo I had a complete check up and all was fine. Ever since and it's now 10 yrs later and I have almost a whole mouth full of crowns. THEN to make matter worse I am starting to get cavities under the crowns which more more work.

I am to the point of asking to have all of my teeth removed and just get dentures. The money I have spent on my teeth is just horrible.

[Andrea Barnett Budin]

Same, same, same.

I LOVE NITROUS. I ask for it to be set a 3 or I'll fly through the ceiling. Sometimes during work I indicate I need it lowered. Find your happy spot. Makes everything wonderful. Beyond relaxing. Eurphoric.

ev 3 mnth hygienist. mouthguard cause i grind. when awake i try not to.

waterpik ev night. sonicare tooth brush and mentadent 2x or more a day. mouthguard ev night!

still issues, just like yall...

Be well!

Love,
A

[Mtngrl]

First a rant about "medically necessary." Seriously? Dental health is directly linked to other diseases and conditions.

On that note, I have a friend with bone mets who started on Zometa, then had to stop because she needs four root canals. She has NO money. Her insurance covers only extraction. She can't get the teeth pulled because of the risk of jaw necrosis. She got paperwork showing that in her case the root canals are medically necessary, but can't find a dentist to do them. She thinks they're freaked out by the risk of jaw necrosis. This has been going on for over 6 months.

As for those of us in less extreme circumstances, I think dry mouth is a factor, but also immune suppression. When I was on chemo I noticed a lot more plaque in my mouth. Plaque = bacteria, which cause decay.

[Donna H]

I hadn't had a cavity in 10+ years but that all changed after chemo. My dentist put the blame squarely on chemo. I have a mouth full of cavities to fix before I start treatment for my newly dx of osteoporosis. I just started seeing an endocrinologist to see if there is any underlying reason for the osteoporosis, other than early menopause. I started taking Femara in January so bone health is yet another new thing to treat/worry about etc. But I am very glad to be NED - that is most important. Everything else is a balancing act.

[AlaskaAngel]

Thanks, Suzan, for asking. Mine are a very spendy mess at 13 years out w/o bc recurrence and with some dental insurance.

My DDS recommended Biotene also, and even though my mouth doesn't feel dry to me, he says it is. (Shoot, why wouldn't my mouth be dry? My hair is dry, my skin is so dry that I have chronic itching and have to use Cetaphil for that, my ears don't produce much earwax....)

In my case, one can't blame any of it on trastuzumab or on using an AI, either. And I was only on tamoxifen for 1 1/2 years. But I did have CAF x 6.

A.A.

[jaykay]

Oh my teeth (and gums)! Not sure I can blame it on chemo, Herceptin or AI's, though.

Full mouth gum surgery in 1989-1990, 4 times a year at the periodontist for teeth cleaning, check ups. 2 implants with bone grafts (one before chemo and one after), another one in waiting. Root canals, crowns, onlays, fillings.

Used Biotene products through chemo - mouthwash, toothpaste, gel and my mouth didn't suffer at all.

I have been using prevident toothpaste (prescription fluoride) for the past 4 months and my hygienist said she could really tell a difference (positive). Something else you may want to mention to the dentist

I guess I'm just happy that most of my teeth are still in my mouth after 25 years. Never really thought about the after effects of chemo and other drugs

Janis

[Jean]

Yes for sure....I have been going to see my dentist every 3 months for a cleaning.

[AlaskaAngel]

P.S. Happy BD Suzan - rock those socks off today!!!

[harrie]

I had no dental problems as a result of my chemo of TCH. There can be other factors that can increase the risk of dental problems such as dry mouth. Dry mouth can possibly be a side effect from certain meds as well as stress. A sig decrease in saliva can put one at risk for dental decay. This can be counted by making changes in your oral hygiene daily routine.
Sometimes people suck on hard candies to help alleviate dry mouth. If done too often, can make one very high risk for decay.
There are products on the market to help prevent decay.
Clenching can also increase risk of causing fractures or putting undue stress on roots of teeth. Clenching is not uncommon with acute stress. The side effects of clenching can also be minimized with awareness, massages, etc.
Biotene is suppose to be designed for dry mouth. I heard of one person that does "oil pulling" which is swishing with coconut oil. If I had dry mouth, I would try that.
Various products to help reduce dental decay: Sensodyne Restore and Repair, Prevident was mentioned earlier and thats good, MI Paste (RX) should help considerably.

[StephN]

Harrie!

Good to hear from you and you ought to know about these things ...

Good tip on the coconut oil - never heard of it before.

[jaykay]

Forgot to mention, I do wear a bite guard religiously. It was mentioned in another post. I am a grinder..

[suzan w]

Thank you all for these responses. Very helpful, interesting. Yesterday I met a woman at the beach...cancer survivor (throat and soft palate) treated with heavy radiation, hyperbaric chamber, etc...bottom line, cannot have extractions etc. due to osteonecrosis fears...she is having terrible teeth issues too. Coincidentally seeing my same dentist, paying out of pocket a 5 figure $$$, as am I . It was very reassuring to meet and talk with her.
So, here is my update, I have had all my front teeth (16) prepped for special crowns (no metal) and am now in temporaries. The permanent crowns will go in in 3 weeks. At that time, I will have the remaining molars, 12, prepped for crowns, temporaries, etc. 3 more weeks to final crowns. All these procedures are done under sedation. What an ordeal!!! I will also have a night guard (I am a grinder too!) Also will need to have special cleaning procedure done every 3 months.
Not complaining, no regrets, glad to be alive and NED. Again, thank you all for chiming in. In the general scheme of what so many of us are dealing with on a daily basis, teeth do seem rather trivial...but critical!!!

[jaykay]

OMG - what an ordeal even in the "grand scheme of things". Glad you will be under sedation and hope you do not have too much discomfort!

Janis

[Lien]

I have had dental problems for a long, long time, ever since some cheapo dentist put some cheap fillings in my mouth. Turned out to be allergic to them and have had health issues since. Breast cancer was only one of them. Teeth are very important to overall health, I assure you! I have a bridge, lots of fillings, that need renewing every couple of years, as the only filling I'm not allergic to isn't very strong.

Off to my dentist now, for a gum infection and nerve pain. Agree!

Oh, and allergic to novocaine too. So I take a pain killer before treatment.

Jacqueline

(didn't have chemo, but did have Zoladex and Arimidex)

[LaDonna28]

I have had bad teeth from growing up without fluoride and hereditary reasons; hence, I have had numerous crowns and root canals. Chemo has made my mouth worse and now I have crowned, root canalled teeth that are having issue.... I found this article and am curious: HOW MANY OF US HAD A ROOT CANAL BEFORE CANCER??????

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2012/02/18/dangers-of-root-canaled-teeth.aspx

[jaykay]

Several root canals before cancer, many crowns plus periodontal treatment going back 30 years. I am also cursed with bad teeth but nothing worse since chemo. I do get my teeth cleaned every 3 months. If I didn't, I'd be in big trouble. I started using prescription fluoride toothpaste (prevident) about a year ago and my hygienists tell me it's made a big difference.

Best
Janis

[Cif]

I saw dentist before chemo, he warned me to care extra for teeth during TCH, by 17th round they had turned grey and gum line brown, I saw him through treatment and he said there was nothing he could do, it just happens. Then the lecture about dry mouth causing this, and I showed him the gel and oramoist I carry and use around clock and I only drink water and no teas or coffee. Four grand later out of pocket and a smile specialist dentist I have my orginal color teeth back and can show my teeth again. Here is the kicker, before doing this people said I looked bad and concerned, the first time they see me with veneers and crowns they say I look so much healthier. I admit, makes huge difference in looks. I wish teeth were covered like boobs with cancer damage.

[Donna H]

Chemo sides effects just keep on giving! I hadn't had a cavity in the 10 years prior to chemo but my first dentist app after chemo showed 5 cavities. I only had cavities, a minor dental issue thankfully but..... Teeth are very important in overall health and well being.

[Cathya]

OMG When I was radiated to my supraclavicular node etc. they didn't put a block on my head and my teeth were full of holes. I hate to think of what that did to my brain and eyes lol. I had to have caps everywhere. Cost me a bundle. Since then I have lost two of the caps...likely from chemo since one more since I had most recent chemo. What a pain!!!

Cathy