I’m 14 weeks post Radiotherapy, had an MRI scan a couple of weeks ago, they called me to say it looked like I had had a complete response to the treatment, but they want to do a pet scan to be sure. So I’m not quite cracking open the bubbly yet (not that I can drink it anyway, it dries my mouth out like the Gobi desert the minute I put any alcohol in it!).
I’m just seeking a little advice on oral hygiene. I was told to brush my teeth 3 to 4 times a day. I brush before breakfast, and do a very light brush afterwards, then brush after lunch and after dinner. Trouble is, I’m still losing weight because I’m not eating anything in between meals, solely because I’m a bit over the top about being careful about oral hygiene, I want to keep my mouth clean but don’t want to over-brush. I just wondered what other people do, do you eat in between meals and if so do you brush afterwards, or just use mouthwash? (I do use interdentals before brushing and after eating as well). I’m a bit paranoid about getting ORN, even though I know it’s rare!
Hi.
yes be careful about over brushing. You don’t need to brush after breakfast if you have brushed before.
interdentals, just twice… before breakfast and before bed. In between just one of those plastic orange toothpicks to remove debris is enough.
I do snack sometimes and a sloosh with warm water followed by a fluoride mouthwash is sufficient.
Get a fluoride varnish at your dentist every three months and that will give you all the protection you need. Do try to relax and forget about dental hygiene. Just get into a routine.
Dani
Base of tongue cancer. T2N0M0 6 weeks Radiotherapy finished January 2019
Proflourid is available in the U.K. and has a different formulation to Durophat. Maybe ask?
Dani
Base of tongue cancer. T2N0M0 6 weeks Radiotherapy finished January 2019
PS
MI plus is a good thing to use. Pop a pea sized lump on the tip of your tongue at bedtime
You can get MI plus which has fluoride.
Dani
Base of tongue cancer. T2N0M0 6 weeks Radiotherapy finished January 2019
Yes. I get mine from Dental direct
Dani
Base of tongue cancer. T2N0M0 6 weeks Radiotherapy finished January 2019
