Oral cancer
A healthy lifestyle is the best form of protection against mouth cancer: smoking and drinking to excess both significantly increase the likelihood of developing the condition. In addition, because alcohol helps tobacco to absorb into the mouth, people who smoke and drink to excess are up to 30 times more likely to develop the condition. See www.mouthcancer.org for more information. We routinely screen for abnormalities at every examination but please get medical advice if an ulcer or white or red patch does not clear after three weeks: “If in doubt, get checked out.”
Living with cancer treatment
If you are diagnosed with any form of cancer, you should be made aware that treatments can affect your entire body, including your teeth and gums. Side effects of treatment may include inflammation of the mucous membranes in the mouth (mucositis), infections, taste changes, dry mouth, pain, tooth decay, gum disease and sores inside your mouth.
Good dental health practices are especially important for people living with cancer. Good communication is important too, information about your general health and treatment needs to be shared with the dentist and hygienist treating you and your dental history should also be shared with your oncologist. Once your cancer treatment has started, if you experience pain in your mouth, teeth or jaw – or any other symptoms of possible dental problems – tell both your oncologist and dentist immediately.
Dental care is an important element of your overall cancer care. Beginning as soon as possible after your cancer diagnosis, your treatment team should involve your regular dentist.
- Be sure to tell us that you are being treated for cancer
- Update your medical history record with us to include details of your cancer diagnosis and treatments being provided and planned
- Provide us with the name and contact details of your oncologist and give him/her ours to allow for easy consultation if necessary at any stage. Your consent will always be asked before we contact another doctor about your care.