Cancer Denture Wellness

Cancer Treatment is a team oriented approach with your Oncologist the Team leader. He/She is most qualified, experienced and knowledgeable to best direct your care. Always check for their advice regarding treatment. Have your oral health checked and any treatment completed if at all possible before starting treatment.

Dentures rarely remain snugly fitting for extended periods due to the changes in our mouth. Loose dentures allow space for food and liquid particles to become trapped creating an environment for significant bacterial growth which causes irritation and infection. Reducing unnecessary risk to a compromised immune system is crucial to our overall health. Loose dentures cause irritation and lesions and ulceration and can quickly create issues with eating and chewing. Temporary soft lining has inert material and may relieve irritated tissues during treatment.

Choosing Tooth Paste

• Look for something not containing SLS
• SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate ) is a foaming agent included in many toothpastes. Exposure compromises the skin in our mouth, such as the cheeks ,tongue, gums etc that makes us more susceptible to tissue damage and ulceration by removing the protective mucin layer present in healthy skin.
• Check the supermarket labels and often the natural cheaper toothpastes are SLS free.
• SLS is found also in :- Hair, bath, hand lotions, grooming products and sunscreen as a few examples. It may be noticed all these products are applied directly to the skin.

Choosing Tooth Brush

• A small soft head making it more accessible to the back of the mouth.
• An electric brush is a popular, thicker handle and easier to grip.
• Child's toothbrush small head and easy to use.
• If necessary a washed gloved hand by gently wiping the tissues will suffice to dislodge material. Using warm water to further soften the brush bristles may be helpful.

Cleaning our Teeth

• Teeth are bone and hardy. Our tissues are delicate and food debris sticks and get lodged between the teeth. Soft gentle wiping is enough to dislodge food particles in all areas of the mouth including the palate. Wiping down from the top and up on the bottom helps to clear away rather than cause food to be pushed under the gums. Apply the tooth paste across the brush not lengthwise. Gentle floss after meals using a length of floss wound around the index finger on both hands. Wrap and unwrap the floss as each tooth is cleaned will reduce spreading any infection from one tooth to the next. Rinsing with water is essential and speak to your oncologist regarding mouth wash and liquid anaesthetic rinse.
• In the case of dentures it is important to use soap on both sides to remove bacteria. Be careful of any chemicals contained in commercial denture cleaners whilst having treatment.
• Mouth rinses aid in removing debris and keeping the oral tissues moist and clean.

(Professional denture cleaning may help provide relief, quick and cost effective.)

Mouth Hydration.

Dry mouth compromises our oral tissues. A moist mouth allows us to combine our food with saliva to swallow, talk and sleep. Frequent sips or sprays of water in the mouth helps during the day. A moisturising gel may be recommended and it also can be useful when applied under dentures to help maintain a seal to keep them in position.

Contact Information: (07) 49228344

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