Dental Care for Oral Complications of Cancer Treatment

Mucositis/ stomatitis: culture lesions to identify secondary infection. Prescribe topical anesthetics and systemic analgesics. Consult oncologist about prescribing antimicrobial for known infections. Have pt aboid rough-textured foods and report oral problems early.

Xerostomia/ salivary gland dysfunction: advise pt to soften or thin foods with liquid, chew sugarless gum, or suck ice chips or sugar-free hard candies. Suggest using commercial saliva substitutes or prescribe saliva stimulant drugs

Taste changes: refer to dietician, but generally speaking its just something that the pt will have to get used to.

Etched enamel: to protect enamel, advise pt to rinse mouth with water and baking soda solution after vomiting.

Dental demineralization: instruct pt in daily application of fluoride gel.

Complications Specific to Chemotherapy

Neurotoxicity: provide analgesics or systemic pain relief

Bleeding: advise pt to clean teeth thoroughly with a toothbrush softened in warm water. Instruct pt to avoid flossing the areas that are bleeding but to keep flossing the other teeth.

Category: Medical Subject Notes , Pharmacology Notes