People undergoing cancer treatment are especially vulnerable to oral health problems because of the drugs used in the treatments. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy can cause significant dental changes, including inflammation in the gums, loosening teeth, infection, and salivary gland damage.

Effects of Cancer Treatment to Oral Cavity

Oral Mucositis

The first line of defense for most oral infections is a good immune system, but if it turns out that your immune system can no longer fight off infection because of drugs used to fight cancer, this will give rise to oral mucositis. Oral mucositis is when the mouth is dry and has sores. It is common during treatments for cancer patients. Mouth ulcers and oral mucositis are probably the first signs one experiences as a side effect of chemo. If this happens to you, it is important to visit Holistic dentist in West Holywood for treatments.

Salivary Gland Damage

Chemotherapy is a potent cause of mouth sores and dentures; however, it also affects the body’s balance between acid and alkali. It causes a decrease in saliva production and damages your salivary glands. This includes damage to the salivary ducts, the tubes that carry saliva from your mouth to your throat, your throat to your mouth, and your salivary glands. Saliva is an important substance for digestion. Saliva glands can become damaged during and after treatment, resulting in a shortage of saliva or even blockages or swelling of your salivary ducts.

Dental Caries

Dental Caries are when bacteria break down food, creating acid in the mouth, and damaging tooth components. An especially vulnerable population for dental caries is cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. These patients are more susceptible to caries because their immune systems are weakened, making it easier for the bacteria in their mouths to attack the tooth enamel and create cavities.

These patients are also at risk of getting oral sores. While chemo is still occurring, patients’ mouths will be dry from all the anti-emetics and steroids used in treatment. A dry mouth can make their mouth more susceptible to cavities and gingivitis due to inflammatory response.

Gingival Hyperplasia

Gingival hyperplasia is caused by excessive tissue growing around the teeth, usually caused by a decreased immune system, which is common in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy and radiation therapy. While gingival hyperplasia is not a rare side effect of chemotherapy, it is one of the most commonly reported side effects in chemo patients. This condition is often harmless but can also cause discomfort or pain for the patient. Gingival hyperplasia is reversible with support from a doctor at Holistic dentistry.

Inflammation and Cancer

Periodontal disease is the inflammation of the gums, teeth, and bones that can occur in response to irritation or infection. There are many possible causes of periodontitis, including chronic disease or conditions such as diabetes; however, it can also occur because of gum disease or infection from bacteria. It is important to visit our dentist regularly for checkups and cleanings. You can visit Holistic dentistry, the best dewiest Hollywood dentist. Chemotherapy creates an environment with a high prevalence of spontaneous chronic gingivitis and periodontitis.

The formation of periodontal pathogens, which include bacteria like Streptococcus, T. denticola, P. gingivalis, and Actinomyces, can lead to changes in the health of the gums that are also capable of causing periodontal disease. Changes in tissue that make up the outer layer of your teeth contribute to increased bone loss and bone-to-implant contact. These changes make it easier for the process of periodontal disease to be ignited.

The formation starts when gram-positive bacteria and gram-negative bacteria shifts. When the bacteria colonize and more aggressive oral microbiota shifts to more anaerobic species, inflammation can develop. The harmful periodontal organisms produce chronic inflammation, which stimulates the immune system to propagate an inflammatory response, leading to carcinogen formation. The immune system eventually releases inflammatory mediators and cytokines, including prostaglandins, that cause bone loss and pain.

Reasons why Cancer Treatment Worsen Periodontal Disease and Dental Caries

Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy Slows the Growth of New Cells

Cancer therapies can weaken the body’s immune system. If the white blood cells that fight infections and diseases are reduced, this lowers the body’s ability to defend itself against harmful bacteria. When the new growth cells stop growing, there is a change in the tissue that can cause tissue death because there is no formation of new cells. This can lead to damage to the periodontal ligament and bone. When this occurs, the gums appear swollen and recede, placing delicate teeth closer to the gum surface resulting in tooth decay.

Radiation Therapy May Directly Damage and Break Down Oral Tissue, Salivary Glands, and Bone

Chemotherapy and radiation therapy directly affect the oral tissue, salivary glands, and bone. Radiation therapy damages the salivary glands, which then causes a reduction of saliva, followed by higher risks of caries and periodontal disease. The damage caused to the salivary glands can also cause xerostomia, making it harder to neutralize acids from bacteria that cause dental caries.

Chemotherapy and radiation therapy Lead to an imbalance of bacteria in the mouth

Chemotherapy and radiation therapy also change the mouth’s balance of bacteria, causing an increase in harmful bacteria that cause decay. The antibiotics used in healing may change oral communities by reducing the number of naturally helpful organisms. Some chemicals used to treat cancer kill healthy cells and damage tissue, which allows cancer cells to grow and spread more easily. As a result, some patients receiving cancer treatments may have an increase of harmful bacteria in the mouth that causes cavity and periodontal disease.

Patients Receiving Cancer Treatment Should Have their Care Planned by Doctors or Specialists

To manage oral complications during cancer treatment, doctors or specialists can help plan an effective treatment plan. A holistic dentist in West Hollywood will advise and prescribe mouth products containing xylitol to help protect against cavities and reduce the risk of further gingival problems and infection. They are the best dewiest Hollywood dentist who helps with dentistry services.

Many factors can cause dental diseases to get worse, such as the effects of cancer treatment. Chemotherapy can slow new cell growth and break down salivary glands and oral tissue. You can book an appointment at the Holistic dentist in West Hollywood for dentistry services.