I had raging toothache yeasteday morning, which I manged to control with the help of many pain killers.
Today theres been a dull ache all day and I am completely unable to chew. Ive basically eaten 2 bananas and a bowl of soup all day. (I only have teeth one side at the top…long story)
Tonight Im worrying what to do. Should I make a dentist appointment tomorrow, or ring the chemo unit?
I assume the dentist might want to put me on anti biotics, would he need to liase with the Onc?
It’s one pain too far for me at the moment and I just feel really down about it.
Anyone sucessfully sorted toothache out whilst on chemo?
Hey Tree. Yup, I did It wasn’t exactly a tooth problem, but rather an opportunistic bone infection under a tooth. As long as you’re not on bisophosphates (eg for bone mets= probs if you need a tooth out)and your dentist isn’t a complete plonker, dental treatment should be ok.
If it’s decay and you need a filling, they will probably check that you’re not neutropenic first and if so will delay for a few days until your counts are up. If it’s more invasive treatment you need, like a root canal filling, I believe they’ll just give you antibiotics and painkillers and wait until afte the chemo finishes, if possible. That’s what I was told when I was being investigated. As it goes, I just needed antibiotics though. I did get my bloods done before I went to the dentist and I was neutropenic (0.2-eek) but was still able to take the antibiotics. I ended up in hospital with neutropenic sepsis a few days later…which explained how the opportunistic infection occurred!
I suffered with terrible toothache whilst on FEC, I took painkillers & used lots of bongela and made sure I cleaned my teeth thoroughly (wanted to make sure there wasn’t a abcess or collection of food hiding)that seemed to do the trick.
I’m on Abraxane now for a recurrence and touch wood so far haven’t had toothache…just everything else aches!!
Hi
I had a similar problem and I had to check my temp and ring chemo unit to ask before going to dentist. Had toothach or for me gum ache and usually a day or two of soft food, flossing and mouthwash sorts it out but noticed my temp was going up so rang in for advice. Told to get antibiotics off on call gp and ring in next morning but as temp was not going down next day was asked to go in for more antibiotics and also antiviruls as well which sorted the gum problem. The antibiotics and antiviruls lasted until day of next FEC and one of the se’s of them meant at least I did not have constipation with that chemo dose!
Hope it clears up for you soon,
Ali.
x
hi
i had terrible toothache at the end of tax and it was an infected root put down to the chemo so had anti biotics, my dad is a dentist and gave me PROPOLIS which is made from bees its really good too as it eases the pain
Had same prob and went to dentist. Was first put on antibiotics, then got 2 fillings done, but 1 of them got infected, so back on antibiotics, now having a proper clean out, which still haven’t finished yet!
Also using Chlorhexidine Gluconate mouthwash (believe you can get them from chemo unit, but can also get from boots), Difflam and a special toothpaste called Duraphat 5000. They all seem to help. You can check those out with chemo unit or your dentist.
the first thing is to find out exactly what the problem is and what treatment is required. I would ring the chemo unit prior to visiting the dentist to discuss with them as your dentist may be reluctant to treat without their advice. If possible aim to have any treatment towards the end of your chemo cycle when your cells are picking up. It is possible that it could be related to the gum and not the tooth as chemo can affect the gums and that can be painful and sensitive too.
3 weeks after my last chemo session and I was begining to feel human… but then last night I came down with awful toothache (why do these things ALWAYS happen on a weekend).I’m due to start RT 2moro, so I’m hoping this isn’t for any reason going to delay treatment.
Having had regular problems in the past, I had a stockpile of Erythromycin - antibiotic and as soon as I can sum up the energy I’m off to Boots to buy a bottle of CLOVE OIL. Can’t recommend it highly enough - amazing stuff that dabbed on with a cotton bud will immediately numb the area.
Same happened to me i had tooth pain but in each 4 corners.Was like chewing silver paper. My dentist wouldnt treat me but hosp did. I had all 5 out from each corner never looked back.Good luck with yours. Jane
It wasn’t exactly a tooth problem, but rather an opportunistic bone infection under a tooth. As long as you’re not on bisophosphates (eg for bone mets= probs if you need a tooth out)and your dentist isn’t a complete plonker, dental treatment should be ok.