October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Breast cancer is the most widespread cancer among Canadian women (excluding non-melanoma skin cancers). It is the second cause of death from cancer in Canadian women. We have mothers, sisters, friends, and neighbors who struggle against the disease every day.
If you have breast cancer or have survived this disease, you have experienced how cancer impacts many parts of your lifestyle and health. Therefore it is no surprise your oral health is also affected by the disease.
Please Inform your dentist about your breast cancer treatments.
If you are having breast cancer treatment, it is vital that you notify your dental team. The reason is the various medications used in the disease treatment which may affect your dental treatments and oral health in general.
For instance, the use of chemotherapeutical medications may influence the pace of recovery following dental surgery.
Other Ways That Breast Cancer Affects Oral Health
There are other problems occurring from breast cancer therapy that may also impact the oral cavity. While the medication used in chemotherapy and radiation therapy destroy cancer cells, they also damage healthy cells. This may cause problems with teeth and gums. Some of these complications include:
- Mucositis is inflammation of the mucosa that can cause mouth sores, oral mucositis, or esophagitis. It can range from a red, sore mouth and/or gums to open sores that can cause you to be unable to eat.
- Dry mouth (xerostomia)- refers to a condition in which the salivary glands in your mouth don’t make enough saliva to keep your mouth wet. Dry mouth is often due to the side effect of certain medications or aging issues or as a result of radiation therapy for cancer
- dysphagia -Trouble swallowing
- Sense of taste changes
- Inadequate nourishment due to struggles with eating
Thus, to avoid significant complications, it is optimal to visit your dentist around one month before beginning your cancer therapy. Furthermore, it is vital that the dentist keeps in contact with your medical team so as to make sure the safest potential treatment results for you and your overall health.
The Significance of Regular Dental Care
Though breast cancer treatment, retaining great dental hygiene, and routine dental exams are essential. A toothache when you are experiencing key and possibly life-menacing problems are the very last thing you need. Therefore, it is advised that a patient begins his/her cancer treatments such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy with a superb dental condition. If you disregard your oral health during the treatment and recovery phases, bigger dental issues might be triggered. A great connection with your dentist and dental team can be exceptionally valuable so that they can support you throughout this difficult period of your life.
To book an appointment for a dental exam. Call us at (514) 322 3368 for our Montreal Clinic or (450) 961 1616 for our Terrebonne clinic. Or simply send us your inquiry for an appointment and we will contact you as soon as possible. Our extended hours & weekend openings can accommodate you and your busy lifestyle.
- Clinique de Montréal: 1639 Sherbrooke Ouest, H3H 1E2, Montréal, Qc
Si vous avez besoin d'un dentiste à Montréal, notre clinique est idéalement située au centre-ville de Montréal à l'intersection de Sherbrooke Ouest et de la rue St-Mathieu tout près du métro Guy Concordia. - 2190 Chemin Gascon ,Terrebonne, Qc J6X 3A1
Idéalement situé à Terrebonne sur la rue Gascon avec stationnement gratuit.