Does radiation affect your gums?

Does radiation affect your gums?

But radiation to the head and neck can harm normal cells, including cells in the mouth. Side effects include problems with your teeth and gums; the soft, moist lining of your mouth; glands that make saliva (spit); and jaw bones. It’s important to know that side effects in the mouth can be serious.

Can radiation cause dental problems?

Chemotherapy and radiation therapy may cause changes in the lining of the mouth and the salivary glands, which make saliva. This can upset the healthy balance of bacteria. These changes may lead to mouth sores, infections, and tooth decay.

Is osteoradionecrosis fatal?

Osteoradionecrosis (ORN) of the skull is a rare but fatal complication of radiation therapy for the treatment of head and neck malignancies.

What are the side effects of mouth radiation?

Radiation to the mouth and throat area can cause several short-term side effects depending on where the radiation is aimed and can include:

• Skin changes like a sunburn or suntan in the treated area.
• Hoarseness.
• Loss of taste.
• Redness, soreness, or even pain in the mouth and throat.
• Dry mouth.
• Trouble swallowing.
• Feeling tired.

What is the best mouthwash for chemo patients?

Water. A mouthwash with no alcohol or sugar, such as Biotene® PBF Oral Rinse or BetaCell™ Oral Rinse.

Does radiotherapy damage your teeth?

Radiotherapy increases your risk of dental decay. Fluoride helps prevent decay by hardening the teeth. Harder teeth resist decay more effectively.

Can you have dental work done while taking radiation?

If you had high doses of radiation to the face or mouth and you require dental surgery, you may be at increased risk of developing a bone-healing problem (osteoradionecrosis) after the surgery. Your dentist should discuss this potential problem with a radiation oncologist prior to any dental surgery.

How does radiation affect the jaw?

Radiotherapy can affect the blood supply to the jawbone and this sometimes causes the tissue in the jawbone to die. This is called osteoradionecrosis. Most people who have radiotherapy will never develop osteoradionecrosis (ORN).

Does radiation cause osteonecrosis?

Osteonecrosis of the jaws can result either from radiation, used in radiotherapy for treatment of malignant tumors, or medications used for bone remodeling and anti-angiogenesis such as bisphosphonates. These conditions can be associated with triggering factors such as infection, trauma and decreased vascularity.

Is osteoradionecrosis curable?

Previous treatment options of osteoradionecrosis ORN of the jaw is usually treated with conservative or surgical management. Conservative therapies include frequent saline irrigation and antibiotic medications during infectious periods. Another conservative approach is hyperbaric oxygen treatment (HBOT).

Do taste buds grow back after radiation?

Taste changes caused by radiation treatment usually start to improve 3 weeks to 2 months after treatment ends. Taste changes may continue to improve for about a year. If salivary glands are harmed, then the sense of taste may not fully return to the way it was before treatment. Other causes.