If you have cancer inside your mouth, then it can lead to dental health problems in a variety of ways. When your physician or a dentist finds a growth or sore inside your mouth, a biopsy may indicate that it is cancerous. In addition to having medical issues from cancer, you can experience problems from the treatments for cancer. Here are some dental health problems that commonly occur with cancer of the mouth.
Problem 1: Difficulty Chewing Food
The treatments for cancer in the mouth can lead to tenderness in your soft oral tissues, making it difficult to chew food. You may also notice a problem with your teeth as the gums begin to swell or bleed, and this can lead to having loose teeth. If you have this problem, then you might avoid eating nutritious foods such as fruits or vegetables, leading to vitamin and mineral deficiencies that can cause additional health problems. You may need to begin a dietary supplement regimen if you are unable to eat certain foods.
Problem 2: Reduction of Saliva
The saliva that your salivary glands produce is vital for your oral health because it helps with the digestion of food. In addition, saliva lubricates your mouth’s tissues to make it easier to chew food and talk. Unfortunately, mouth cancer and its specialized treatment can change the production of saliva, leading to a chronic dry-mouth condition. This problem is uncomfortable, but it also has detrimental effects on the health of your gums, tongue, palate, and teeth. If you are undergoing radiation treatment for mouth cancer, then it can alter the way that your salivary glands function.
Problem 3: Developing Gingivitis
The chemotherapy process can reduce the functions of your body’s immune system, leading to inflammation in the gum tissues. First, you will notice that your gums feel tender, but gingivitis will progress until your gums are red, swollen, and bleeding. The infection in the gums can spread to the roots of your teeth and the underlying alveolar bones. Without treatment for gum disease, you can develop an infection in the jawbone, and you can also lose teeth.
Problem 4: Pain in the Jaw
You may experience severe jaw pain from mouth cancer treatment, but a dentist can help you with this problem by making a customized mouth guard that you wear at night to prevent any problems from grinding your teeth. The radiation or chemotherapy treatment for cancer of the mouth can change the way that your tendons, muscles, and joints react, leading to tension and excruciating pain. This can keep you from sleeping at night, and if you are undergoing treatment for mouth cancer, then proper rest is essential.
Contact Us Today
If you need a dentist who can help you with the dental health problems that occur from mouth cancer treatment, contact Mountain View Dental located in Pleasant View, Utah. You can schedule an appointment or ask our friendly staff any questions you may have by calling us at (385) 324-3557.
