I don't know if this is a silly question and I am blaming chemo wrongly, but having had 6 lots of 7-hour chemo, and a big op to remove all the ovarian bits and pieces I am now in remission. I finished treatment about a month ago. However since then I have had a molar extracted with an abcess underneath and now a filling has just fallen out. I also find my teeth very sensitive to cold (ice cream!). Am I getting paranoid or is there a connection to the chemo. And if there is, should I be swilling fluoride or taking any vitamins or anything like that? Does anyone have experience of this? Any advice?
Hi Spooks
No it's not a silly question!
My chemo was in 2022 - carboplatin and paclitaxel. My teeth are really sensitive now and have to have regular deep cleaning/descaling. I would talk to your CNS at your next check appointment and also speak with your dentist. I find regular cleaning appointments help and also sensitive toothpaste. I would say it was at its worst in the first 6 months post chemo and then settled to some extent. I also grind my teeth more- possibly due to the stress of the cancer so this also adds to it. I have been told that there is something that can be put on my teeth to act as a sort of barrier- not sure what its called and I can also have a mouth guard for at night.
With the abcess it may well be affected by the chemo as I know it took a while for my immune system to recover.
I would check with the dentist about whether fluoride/vitamins would help. I took multi vitamins and minerals after treatment finished along with vitamin B12 and calcium. I asked my CNS and she said it was fine.
Jane
