Mouth & tooth care post treatment

Hi Alp

So pleased your husband is recovering well albeit slowly.

Yes, the tooth decay is a real problem.  I not only get my toothpaste on prescription but also a high fluoride mouthwash for use only at night before going to bed as well as Biotene mouthwash for use any time.  Might be worth enquiring with your GP or dentist as to whether your husband can also get these on prescription.

I wish you and your husband all the best with his continued recovery.

Linda x

Really pleased with your husbands successful outcome. Thanks for posting a timely reminder.
We are all warned in no uncertain terms how important  is looking after our oral hygiene. 
I am nearly two years out of RT snd my routines have just become part of life. 
You are right about the tooth brushing before breakfast as the teeth build up plaque overnight. 
I use high fluoride toothpaste, interdental cleaning with brushes once a day and floss twice. 
My pockets  always have Peppersmith gum in them and that’s brilliant for keeping saliva going. It’s not as if you have to keep chewing either. You can park it in your cheek  

Bioxtra mouthwash is my go to. 
Last thing at night my teeth get a coating of tooth mousse with fluoride. 
Every three months I have a fluoride varnish at the hygienist. 
It’s hard work to start with but when you get into the swing of it, it becomes second nature. 
Two years down the line I haven’t had any decay. 

LindaWT said:

a high fluoride mouthwash for use only at night

What do you get Linda? 

Hi Dani

The night time mouthwash I was prescribed  is Endekay.  It's quite strong so I add a little water to it. 

Like you I've been quite fastidious with my teeth as I broke loads of them in an accident as a teenager so I've lots of fillings and certainly didn't want to add any further problems.  I too use floss and interdental brushes as well as mouthwashes etc.  I recently had some xrays done by my own dentist (at the request of my hospital dentist) to check the condition of my teeth and so far they're fine thank goodness.

Linda x

Thanks Linda for your suggestions. We already use the biotene paste which is very gentle & I really like too.

All the best to you and your continued recovery.

Alp

Thanks Linda 

I have recently spotted Xerostom chewing gum on the Swallows website which has fluoride and enzymes in it. I thought it might be just the thing but it’s very expensive. I haven’t tried it. 
I sometimes think about the amount of fluoride that I must be swallowing as too much can impact your thyroid gland which is already imperilled by RT but I have mine checked periodically and all is well. 

Thanks for posting, it is good to hear of people who are doing well! so pleased your husband is recovering.

I agree dental care is key for us following treatment, i do worry about that, i use duraphat myself, 3 times a day but do wonder if i should do more.

Hi Well done to your hubby and of course you for getting through treatment and recovery. 

I too have high fluoride  toothpaste but use it more than once a day m I brush my teeth after food every time it just becomes routine .Plus always before breakfast as my saliva is almost 95% but I still use xyimelt s at night otherwise I would get a sticky mouth .I sip water occassina during the night.Yes u also chew sugar free gum with xylitol in it.i am 27 month post treatment and so far haven’t needed any extra dental work.,sayingbthat our dentists are still not accepting routine appointments.

i also use bioxtra mouthwash I get that on prescription  along with duraphat toothpaste, you shouldn’t have to pay.

Hazel

I think the best advice is see your dentist & get them to advise/prescribe what if anything else you need. All the best.

Alp

With respect, the trouble is that an awful lot of dentists have little idea how to treat problems caused by Radiotherapy. A significant proportion of  them don’t know how to check properly for mouth cancer either.