An Important Time to Take Care of Yourself

Oral Care During Chemotherapy

Those undergoing chemotherapy face many struggles, not the least of which is how to manage their oral care.

Because the body’s natural defense line (the white blood cells) is weakened by the medications used during chemotherapy, infections can crop up anywhere in the body. There are several ways you can avoid oral infections during chemotherapy.

See the Dentist

Your dentist will have many strategies to help keep your mouth healthy during chemotherapy. He may even suggest a dental cleaning before your chemo starts to ensure your teeth and gums are as healthy as possible before your treatment begins.

Clean Your Teeth Every Day

Because your gums may be very sensitive during chemotherapy treatments, special care is recommended for keeping your mouth clean and healthy.

Gently brushing twice a day with a soft-bristled tooth brush or a gauze pad will help keep the surfaces of the teeth and gums clean. If your gums are too sensitive for daily brushing, call your dentist. He may want to see you in the office to check on the health of your teeth and gums.

If nausea and vomiting are an issue, brushing your teeth afterward is especially important. Brushing teeth after vomiting not only improves breath, it also removes the acids from the surfaces of the teeth. These acids wear down the surfaces of your teeth and put you at an increased risk for developing cavities.

Add Oral Care Probiotics

Oral care probiotics, like EvoraPlus, can help support tooth and gum health even if your brushing and flossing habits are lacking during chemotherapy. These beneficial bacteria help keep the bacterial balance in the mouth in a healthy ratio. This is especially helpful if your daily oral care routine is interrupted during treatment.

Oral care probiotics support tooth and gum health year-round, not just during chemotherapy treatment. Taking care of your teeth and gums is a good way to take care of your overall health.

Address Ulcers

Mouth ulcers are very common during certain kinds of chemotherapy. These ulcers, which can occur on the lips, gums, insides of the mouth or tongue, often can be prevented by cautious and careful oral hygiene.

Taking care of oral health during chemotherapy is very important. Be sure to share your oral-care concerns with your doctor and your dentist, and do your best to keep your mouth healthy while undergoing treatment.