Dental and oral problems

What are oral and dental problems?

A healthy mouth is important for your health. Your mouth consists of teeth, tongue, gums, salivary glands, and jaw. The teeth have roots. These sit in the jaw and keep your teeth in place. Young children have a total of 20 teeth which they replace between ages 6 and 11 for an adult set of teeth. An adult set of teeth consists of 32 teeth. Almost everyone has something wrong with their teeth or mouth at some point, for example toothache from a cavity, inflamed gums, sensitive teeth, a dry mouth, or a changed or reduced sense of taste. In some people, the teeth develop in an unusual way.

Oral and dental problems can sometimes cause problems with eating and speaking. You can prevent oral and dental problems with good oral care, by consuming little or no sugar, and by visiting the dentist regularly.

Do I have an increased risk of oral and dental problems?

Everyone, including people who have not had cancer, can develop oral and dental problems. However, some cancer treatments can increase the risk.

The following treatments can increase the risk of oral and dental problems:

• Radiation to an area where the jaw, mouth, and/or salivary glands are located can cause a dry mouth, cavities, inflamed gums, loss of taste, growth problems of the jaw and teeth, a stiff jaw, and roots that have less grip in the jaw.

• Chemotherapy can cause a dry mouth, cavities, inflamed gums, and growth problems of the jaw and teeth.

• Allogeneic stem cell transplantation (from a donor).

You can see in your treatment summary whether you have received one or more of these treatments. If you do not have a summary, you can contact the LATER clinic or the hospital where you were treated. Oral and dental problems do not always have to be caused by treatment. There may be other causes, such as poor oral care.

What are the symptoms and signs of oral and dental problems?

Certain symptoms and signs may indicate oral and dental problems. Even if you do not have these symptoms and signs at the moment, it is important to recognize them in case you ever develop them.

Symptoms and signs that may indicate oral and dental problems are:

• Pain or swelling(s) in mouth, jaw, or neck

• Regularly bleeding gums during tooth brushing and flossing

• Dry mouth

• Change in taste or loss of taste

• A wound or sore in the mouth that has not healed after two weeks

• Cavities

• Not losing baby teeth between ages 6 and 12

• Crooked, discolored, or misshapen teeth

Many oral and dental problems resolve on their own, but if you recognize any of the above symptoms and signs, contact your dentist. Most oral and dental problems can be treated, or it can be prevented that they worsen over time.

I have an increased risk of oral and dental problems. What tests are necessary and when?

If you have an increased risk of oral and dental problems, your regular LATER clinic visits are sufficient. In addition, the recommendation is to visit your dentist twice a year, even if you have no problems.

What happens if I have oral and dental problems?

If you have oral and dental problems, your dentist can treat you or refer you to a specialist. Depending on your symptoms and signs, this is a:

• Dental hygienist

• Orthodontist

• Prosthodontist

• Oral or maxillofacial surgeon

• Dietitian

The specialist will discuss treatment options with you.

What else can I do?

It can be difficult to live with an increased risk of oral and dental problems. Talking with friends and family can help. Contact with people in a similar situation can also be helpful, for example through a patient association such as VOX, part of the Dutch Childhood Cancer Association.

Above all, take good care of yourself. With a healthy lifestyle, you can maintain good oral health. It is important that you know you have an increased risk of oral and dental problems and that you recognize the symptoms and signs. If you have questions or are concerned, contact your general practitioner or LATER physician.

Where can I find more information?

This LATER website also contains information about:

• Healthy lifestyle

• Mental health

• Second form of cancer: oral cancer

In the PanCare PLAIN Language Summaries you will find links to reliable information in English.

Disclaimer

This information is based on a PLAIN language summary of the guideline, created by the PanCare PLAIN Information Group, and has been adapted to the Dutch LATER guideline where necessary. If you experience symptoms, do not rely solely on this information, but consult your general practitioner, LATER physician, or specialist.

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