Addressing Oral Health and Dental Problems During Cancer Treatment
Cancer and its treatments can have a profound impact on a patient’s oral health and dental well-being. From mouth sores and infections to tooth loss and dry mouth, the side effects of cancer treatment can be debilitating. In order to prevent or minimize these complications, specialized dental care is crucial for cancer patients. This article explores the significance of dental care for individuals undergoing cancer treatment, highlighting the importance of maintaining good oral hygiene and seeking timely dental interventions.
The Link Between Cancer Treatment and Oral Health
Cancer types such as oral, jaw, and head and neck cancers directly affect the mouth and teeth. Additionally, treatments like chemotherapy, radiation therapy to the head and neck areas, and blood and marrow transplants increase the risk of oral complications. These complications include mouth sores, infections, cavities caused by reduced saliva production, tooth loss, tooth sensitivity, and dry mouth. Recognizing the impact cancer treatment can have on oral health is the first step in understanding the need for specialized dental care.
The Role of Dentistry in Cancer Treatment
Roswell Park’s Dentistry & Maxillofacial Prosthetics Center offers specialized dental care for cancer patients. The center’s team of highly trained dentists, implant specialists, and temporomandibular joint specialists work in collaboration with surgeons, medical and radiation oncologists, and speech and language pathologists to provide comprehensive care. Their services include general dental treatments such as cleanings, restorations, root canals, and tooth extractions. The team also provides dentures and partials, ensuring that patients receive appropriate dental care at the right time in their treatment schedules.
Comprehensive Oral Health Assessment
Before certain cancer treatments, a comprehensive oral health assessment is required. This assessment helps identify any existing dental conditions, such as infections or problem teeth, that may compromise the success of cancer treatment. By addressing these issues beforehand, delays in cancer treatment can be avoided. The dental team at Roswell Park ensures that patients receive timely dental management, preventing and treating oral side effects from chemotherapy and radiation treatment.
Maxillofacial Prosthetics for Head and Neck Cancer Patients
After treatment, patients with head and neck cancers may require maxillofacial prosthetics to restore appearance and function. These prosthetics can be cosmetic, improving the patient’s appearance, or functional, restoring the ability to speak or swallow. Maxillofacial prosthetics is a specialized branch of prosthodontics that focuses on rehabilitating head and neck defects beyond the oral region. The team at Roswell Park performs procedures such as jaw reconstruction and the placement of implants to support or retain prostheses. These prostheses can include replacements for missing jaws, eyes, ears, noses, and even somatic prostheses like breasts or fingers.
Importance of Timely Rehabilitation
Timely rehabilitation is crucial for cancer patients who require maxillofacial prosthetics. Delays in treatment can lead to speech and swallowing difficulties, as well as psychosocial issues associated with visible body part loss. Roswell Park prioritizes the patient’s medical status and the urgency of the procedure, aiming to provide treatment with the fewest number of visits. By evaluating patient needs before treatment and custom-fitting prostheses, the team ensures that physical appearance and abilities remain as close as possible to pre-treatment conditions.
Conclusion:
Dental care plays a vital role in the overall well-being of cancer patients. By addressing oral health and dental problems before, during, and after cancer treatment, complications can be minimized, allowing patients to better tolerate treatment, meet nutritional requirements, and preserve their quality of life. The specialized dental care provided at Roswell Park’s Dentistry & Maxillofacial Prosthetics Center ensures that cancer patients receive comprehensive and timely care, enabling them to navigate their cancer journey with improved oral health.
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