chemotherapy and braces

[suzzsummit]

OK! I know this is is a weird combination but I just found out I have to start chemotherapy soon (too soon). Some of my doctors are saying I should remove the braces while others are not sure. Is there anyone out there who has done chemo and braces.

suzzsummit

[acd]

My son just started chemo and has had his braces on for just over a year and my wife was concerned about this as well. According to his doctor the problem is when wires poke and brackets rub the insides of the mouth causing open sores that are then more susceptible to infection when the body is least able to fight it. As long as they aren't irritating the inside of his mouth she told us that they were ok. His doctor wants to give him some medication the day before his ortho appointments to prevent infection but has told us that they should not pose a problem and that she has only had one patient who had to have them removed. If she had recommended that we remove them we would. I would follow the instructions of your specialist to the letter. I hope that all goes well with your treatment.

[rsprouse]

OK! I know this is is a weird combination but I just found out I have to start chemotherapy soon (too soon). Some of my doctors are saying I should remove the braces while others are not sure. Is there anyone out there who has done chemo and braces.

suzzsummit

You are likely going to get differing opinions from your team, but it will come down to what your Ortho wants to do. S/He may or may not remove all of your hardware. But more than likely they will stop active treatment and put you in retention mode while you successfully fight your way through Chemo. Will you also be receiving radiation, or just chemo? The big problem with active treatment are certain conditions tha tmay predispose you to osteonecrosis of the jaw. You will also likely have delayed healing so any minor iritation in your mouth could linger. So in short, your Ortho is going to make the call on your treatment, but don't be concerned if they keep pressing on. Good luck in your treatment.

Best,
Rory

[fitchick]

I can't advise on your question suzzsummit but wanted to wish both yourself, and acd son the very best for your treatments.

Fitchick

[Gap]

I just read on this website that chemotherapy (and other cancer, etc drugs) can actually cause mouth sores. So, I'm thinking that with those meds, you get mouth sores, and with braces, you get mouth sores... so you're agitating a problem on top of a problem, and with the reduced/absent immune system... it may be problematic. Check it out:

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency ... 003059.htm

[rsprouse]

I've also been doing some searching and have found that warm salt water rinses are recommended by many, to combat any chance of mouth sores! These will soothe your mouth, if it becomes sensitive during this times. Sensodyne toothpaste is also recommended to reduce the sensitivity of your teeth.

It would be good to make sure you've increased these before yor chemo, as it's better to be pro-active in your treatment, than working in reverse to try and fix a sore mouth.

More importantly you will want to use a mouth rinse to help combat any Xerostomia you may encounter. I typically recommend Biotene, Oasis, or BreathRX. You will also probably want to get some tongue scrapers, they will help with halitosis and bacteria levels. I would schedule an appointment with your general Dentist and give them a heads up as they will likely want to see you more frequently to make sure things are under control.

Good Luck,
Rory

[Naranja]

I don't really know about braces in this situation

I just posted here to wish you luck
hope you get better suzzsummit... i really do
^^

good luck

[Bluerain]

I just want to wish Suzz and Acd's son a speedy recovery and a happy healthy forever

Blue

[bbsadmin]

I'm sorry to hear that you and ACD's son need chemotherapy. I hope everything turns out well for you both!

I don't know if this applies to either of your situations, but when I was writing the article about bisphosphonate drugs and osteonecrosis, they said that the intravenous bisphosphonates are often given in certain cancer treatments. If this is the case, you need to tell your dentists and orthodontists immediately that you have received those drugs.

If you need more information, see this article:

http://www.archwired.com/Osteoporosis_and_Braces.htm

[wired after 50]

I have done chemo and braces but not at the same time. I am a 4 year BC survivor and it is funny each year as I move forward I do another liitle thing for myself. Last year it was a convertible this year the braces. I would try to stick it out and not remove the braces. Your mouth will be sore either way. But I think as long as you feel up to the dental care you shoud stick it out. And believe me there will be days that you work hard to get out of bed neverless worry about your teeth.

Please know you have a support base and we are all behind you.

Susan

4 year survivor

[BlueeyedManda]

Susan,
Congrats on the 4 yr mark. We just celebrated my fiance's 5 yr mark. I work with cancer patients and it is great to celebrate these milestones.

[suzzsummit]

Well... they had to do an emergency MRI before the chemo and since we were worried about the 'haze' the braces would leave on the film and we HAD to have an accurate reading I had 48 hours to get my metal braces off. After the MRI found an abnormality we decided to keep them off since I now have the 'joy' <not> of MRI's every few months. So it was early... only in braces for 15 months but all the major shifting had already happened. I am now in a wonderful set of retainers and once I complete chemotherapy my ortho would only be too happy to get me a set of invisilign to finish the job.

My ortho was the greatest... he offered to come in, after office hours to take off my braces if I thought that would be easier -- he was so kind about my health and he was the one who finally stated "stop fooling around' you need to get those braces off so the other dr's can find the real problem.

And yes, mouth sores and chemo seem to go hand in hand -- the other bad part is that high doses of prednisone make your teeth ultra sensitive so keeping in the retainers are painful -- and my teeth are now ultra sensitive to hot and cold But everything is going good -- 3 weeks of chemo down -- 21 left to go.....

suzsummit

[acehigh]

I wish you well!! Please keep positive and ask your doctor some questions.

[rsprouse]

...And yes, mouth sores and chemo seem to go hand in hand -- the other bad part is that high doses of prednisone make your teeth ultra sensitive so keeping in the retainers are painful -- and my teeth are now ultra sensitive to hot and cold But everything is going good -- 3 weeks of chemo down -- 21 left to go.....

suzsummit

I'd recommend brushing with a toothpaste that contains potasium nitrate (Sensodyne, Crest Sensitivity, etc) to help with the sensitivity in the short term. No use in being even more uncomfortable than you have to be. You should talk to your general dentist about a mouth rinse or prescription toothpaste (Likely Peridex and/or Prevident). Get some sugar free hard candy to suck on regularly and think about a tongue scraper. Hang in there and best of luck in your treatment.

Best Regards,
Rory

[kirjax]

well I am not sure about this question but I want to wish you the best of luck and hope everything goes well.

wired after 50 - congrats on your 5 year mark! that rocks!!!