Help, my teeth are giving me real problems…
I’ll be the first to admit that my dental healthcare was a bit lax and that my teeth weren’t in great shape before diagnosis last September. I finished 4 weeks of radiotherpay in December and have been taking tamoxifen since November. In the last three months I’ve had two broken teeth and one root canal filling. Generally my teeth feel ‘niggley’. Is anyone else having tooth problems? I’m back to see my Dentist in a couple of weeks to have the second broken tooth ‘dealt with’ and am planning on speaking to my GP about gum disease and bone loss. What shouls I be aware of and doing to help retain what’s left in the way of pearly whites?
Clare x
Hi Clare, i’m only at the beginning of my treatment so can’t give any advice but ‘bumping’ it up for u.
Did you have chemo?? I know that if you have a dry mouth because of chemo then the reduced saliva flow can cause more decay and gum desease–but not breaking teeth.
Is it possible that you are realy low in calcium and that is why your teeth are breaking? Are you old enough to have had a bone scan done to see what your bone density is.(you look too young in your picture)
The tamoxifan increases your bone density, but other drugs reduce it.
Bleeding gums can also be a sign of uterine infection (the bleeding gums can be a sign of a wonky imune system and the lining of the uterous is suspect to the same thing apparantly, I think its called entomytrous or somthing) but my gums were bad for ages and then they found an infection in my fallopian tubes I got it sorted and i have not had probems with my gums since.
hi yes my teeth have suffered too following 6 docetaxol, one tooth broken in half, one filled, but my dentist wouldnt consider giving me injections and would only do what was needed temp to last me until I had finished chemo,for me it has taken its toll on my teeth,
go to your dentist but be sure and tell him you are having chemo, so that he can plan a course of appropriate treatment for you,
good luck, love and best wishes Liz x
Thanks Ladies for all your comments. I didn’t have chemo, just radio and tamoxiphen. I called McMillan’s last night and they weren’t ware of any long term damage to teeth from radio and tam, but did suggest it might be osteoperosis! Deep joy. They also suggested speaking to my Onc in addition to my dentist and GP, so I’ll do that and get all the advice going.
Thanks again. Keep pitching!
Clare x
how old are you, and are you post menopausal? Can you think of any elderly female reltives with stooped backs??