Chemotherapy Teeth Problems?

yeah, i was treated in 2002 for cancer and i started loosing roots right away, i could taste the chemo in my mouth as soon as they put it in my pick line!  needless to say, i saved some teeth but just had all of the remaining bottom ones removed!  i was so sad but thought of the other alternative!  like DUH!

I'm 40 years old. I did six treatments of chemo for colon cancer. I can feel my teeth rotting from the inside out. The chemo doc keeps telling me there are no long term effects on the teeth. After reading everyone's posts on this site, it only confirms what I already knew...the Dr. is either lying or stupid. How could chemo NOT damage our teeth? I'm so upset with my Dr.'s care that I cancelled my last appt with her! I finished chemo 3 weeks ago, she asked me to come in, yet didn't even order labs! I feel such hostility towards these Doctors. They poison me...yet can't can't be truthful about long term effects. Everyone who's ever gone thru this or will ever go thru this...you are in my prayers everyday! Western medicine now has me frightened and untrusting. If my teeth rot from the inside out...how can they ever be saved?? I'm mad.Wwould i have opted not to do chemo had I known my teeh and liver would or could be damaged? Hard to answer since I already went for it...however I went for it before any information of these horrible effects were ever disclosed to me! It's nice to know others are out there who know where I'm coming from. LOve and prayers to you all.

I just wanted to add my story, chemotherapy doesn't have to mean losing teeth. I was warned before I began mine that my teeth could suffer because of my treatment. I had hodgkins disease and first underwent ABVD chemo, followed by radiotherapy to my neck (gave me a dry moth for a short while) and finally as I relapsed I had high dose chemo and a stem cell transplant. I was lucky, it worked and now 9 years further down the line I am very greatful. I have also had 4 children which some people say can take its toll on your teeth.

I used chlorohexidne (sp?) mouthwash a lot during my treatment, it stopped me picking up infections and killed any bacteria in there, and I brushed religiously even when I didn't have the energy. I had a mouthful of ulcers constantly but I persevered and so far I don't have a single filling. Maybe I'm lucky, it could be I inherited strong teeth but I think you can at least try to stop your teeth getting worse...

I think if you watch your diet and only eat sugary snacks with meals, try to eat as healthy as you can and limit sugary drinks. Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste making sure you get right up to the gums and in the gaps (I bought an electric one), and use the mouthwash you can at least limit the cavities you get.

In 2001 I had 6 weeks of Radiation for Hogdkins Lymphoma. I was declared Cancer free in 2005... In the fall of 2008, my Lymphoma returned and I had 6 months of Chemotherapy. Today I have had nothing but trouble with my teeth. I used to have good teeth with not having many  problems. In the last 6 months I have had  6 teeth break, I have had a crown fall out, and my gums are starting to recede. I never new that having Chemo would lead to such teeth problems.. A friend told me about her sister having Chemo back in 2007 and has recently had major problems with her teeth rotting under the gums and several teeth breaking. She has done research with the the after-effects of Chemo and a persons dental health.  Of course my teeth are a small price to pay for my life being saved, but I am so upset about my teeth. I don't have good dental Ins. and  like most, live paycheck to paycheck barely making ends meet, and can't afford my cost of services that aren't covered by my Insurance.  It's very depressing...... I wish that under these circumstances that dental care was covered under health insurance, or help out there for people that are having problems with their teeth as a result from Chemo.

I posted on this site about my teeth breaking over 2 years ago.  I have a follow-up suggestion.  My primary care finally decided to check my Vitamin D levels.  The level was very low.  I am taking my second round of high dose Vitamin D.  So far, no more teeth have broken (1 more tooth broke since my last comment).  I am getting my 3rd dental implant put in.  I have several caps.  The dentist I've gone to over the past few years mostly deny a correlation b/w chemo and dental damage.  A few are honest (especially the dental assistants).  No one wants to admit the correlation because they don't want to have to speak to getting this care covered as a part of cancer treatment.  It's all (and always) about the money.  So, consider having  your vitamin D levels checked.  It might stop or slow down the tooth decay and it will also help if  are having bone and joint pain, like I was.  Good Luck!!!!

I am 60 years old a receiving chemotherapy for ovarian cancer.  Additionally, I will be on Avistin for one year.  My teeth are crumbling and falling out rapidly.  I was shocked at first but have since learned that it is directly related to chemo.  I plan to see my dentist to see if there is anything he can do for me temporarily since the oncologist won't allow anything major for one year.

Iam so sorry to here you are sad about loosing some of your teeth. I may be looking at the same situation. It worries me an awfully since I've always had nice teeth and took them from granted. I hope you are doing well with your fight against cancer. I know it's not easy for you but I know your love ones and friends are just happy to have you around. And I'm pretty sure you're glad to be with them. Maybe God will have something special for us. Pray for courage and believe. Good luck.

Never really had strong teeth but always tried to look after them since a teenager, only had 2 sessions of chemo but y'day had a front crown fall out the root it had already had a root filling but it left part of root in gum can anything be done about takint it out.

i love you all.   my teeth have broken, gone loose or just plain fell out after massive chemo in '08.   i am about to turn 40.  single man.  it's hard.  when you smile, they only see the teeth that are missing. . . and not the months of poisoning that caused it, or the courage it takes to show the world your smile.

 

god bless every one of you.

My name is Russell, I am 27 and had hyper CVAD chemo in 2002 when I was 17 for a lyphmoblastic T-cell lyphoma.  Over 10 years have passed, but only recently have my teeth suddenly started deteriorating and breaking back to the gums.  Only days ago I had a top 2nd front tooth snap off completely leaving only a stump at the gum when I was eating a burger that my partner prepared for me (it made me really sad that she felt guilty for making it ).  And last night I had a molar splinter from top to bottom on one corner when chewing on an almond (my tounge is now constantly uncomfortable from the new sharp exposure).  I've also had to have another 2 teeth completely removed within the last two years and smiling and eating are becoming difficult

My partner is being very understanding and we are currently looking into the options that we have available.  During the 9 months of chemo treatment, I wasn't told once of the potentially harmfully side effects the chemo can have on the teeth... as many have said before me, I'm ultimately glad to be alive and will continue to constantly smile on the inside.

I also get peace of mind seeing that I'm not alone and that so many others are pushing on despite the difficulties that come

My name is Karen I went through 6 sessions of chemo in 2011 for breast cancer. since then my teeth have been breaking all the time. I have had 12 teeth pulled within the last year. Thankfully the teeth i do have left, my dentist can make me a partial for. so i understand how everyone feels. I guess its better than the alternative. Keep your faith and stay strong, keep smiling because weve been through things that noone would ever know about and were still here to tell our story, teeth or no teeth. lol 

I'm only 2 months into 4 months of chemo for breast cancer.  I'd had problems over the last couple of years with my gumline receding in some areas and noticed yesterday that on the face of one of my bottom front teeth, there is a very large area of decay.  It appears to begin at or below the gumline.  I've been very careful to brush and floss during my chemo, and did not see this decay until yesterday.  I should mention, I am 40 yrs old, never had a cavity in my life and go for routine cleanings every 4 months to stay on top of the receding issue.

I am sure the decay it is due to the chemo as I was told chemo would attack the mucous membranes, which as we all know, the lining of our mouths are made of.  Chemo has caused me to have 'dry mouth' due to the mucous membranes being compromised, so I don't have the saliva needed to wash away bacteria.  I do the salt water rinse recommended by my chemo dr after I eat or drink anything, and it obviously hasn't stopped the inevitable.

But, like other posters have already stated here, my life is more important than a mouth of pretty teeth.  Teeth can be replaced.  The suggestion in one of the first posts that chemo should be suspended to save some teeth is ridiculous! 

It would be nice, however, if the dr's would acknowledge that chemo may be the culprit.  I am calling my dr today.

Sam, I could have written that post myself. Same EXACT story. I feel so bad my parents spent so much money on braces for me and now i spit out chunks of teeth at times. The oncologista never tell you everything to expect from chemo, just the obvious hair loss and sickness. But there are a million more things that occur well after treatment. I'm 12 years into it and there's always something. Sad but true,

I had chemotherapy in 2008 and 2009. I always had beautiful, straight, white teeth. Since the chemo treatments, and extreme dry mouth, my teeth are breaking off and falling out in my hand! I was never told that chemotherapy would or could cause this problem. I would have still had to have gone thru therapy to even be around to tell about my teeth issues, but still, I think I should have been told about this. There is never any blood or pain, I just find a tooth floating around in my mouth.....without even one decay spot on them!

Hi there. I had breast cancer in 2005. 14 chemos and a year of Herceptin. My teeth took the toll. I have a partial on the bottom and are watching the top ones go, one by one. Guess I'll end up with dentures. At least we're alive, aye? In some odd way it feels better to blame the chemo instead of myself for poor dental care. Misery loves company. Thanks for writing.