When you are diagnosed with cancer, there are likely many different things you have on your mind, and your dental care may not necessarily be one of them. However, as you begin your cancer treatment program, you may begin to wonder about the effects your treatments may have on your oral health as well as maintaining your teeth and gums in spite of your cancer. Before you make an oral health mistake that your dentist will have trouble fixing, get to know some of the facts about dental care when you are receiving treatment for cancer so that you can take better care of your overall health and feel better in spite of your cancer treatments.

You Should Keep Your Dental Appointments While Receiving Treatment

First and foremost, the last thing you want to do when you undergo treatment for cancer is to neglect other aspects of your health, including your dental care. Keep your routine and regular dentist appointments when you are able to. Try to fit those dental appointments when you are in between rounds of radiation and/or chemotherapy.

In other words, try to schedule your appointment in the few days before a round of chemo or your next radiation appointment as apposed to in the days immediately after these treatments when the side effects are at their worst. This will ensure that you do not have to break your appointment due to nausea, fatigue, or other similar issues. Also, be sure your dentist knows you are dealing with cancer and explain the exact treatments you are going through so that they can provide you with the best possible care.

Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy Can Affect Your Oral Health

It is important to recognize that cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy can have an impact on your oral health. Bone loss and disease, for example, are common side effects of radiation therapy in and around the head and neck. Bone issues can affect your jawbone and the structural integrity of your teeth. 

Other side effects of both types of cancer treatments include dry mouth, saliva issues, mouth infections, and mouth sores. If you experience these side effects, your dentist and doctors can work together to get you specialized mouth washes and other treatments to help you resolve your oral health issues that are caused by cancer treatments.

Now that you know a few of the important facts about your dental care when you are getting treated for cancer, you can be sure that you take the steps to keep your mouth as healthy as possible at all times. To find out more, visit a website like http://www.fortcollinsdentist.com.