Preventing and Relieving Mouth Problems

By Nancy Symonds, RDH (Registered Dental Hygienist)

If you had a bad experience with dentists when you were little, you may have a hard time believing that dental care has come a long way and now is relatively pain-free. So if you're dentist-phobic (or even if you cheerfully go to your dentist for regular checkups), we hope these articles on mouth care will help convince you that going to the dentist BEFORE treatment begins is an extremely important part of cancer care -- and can prevent you from having mouth problems for years to come.

In fact, we recommend you print out these articles and take them to your dentist so you can discuss these techniques with him or her. Unfortunately, not every dentist and hygienist has been trained to take special care of cancer patients. To find a dentist and hygienist trained to deal with cancer patients may take a little sleuthing. Here are some possible resources:

The dental oncology department of a hospital

A university that has a dental oncology program

Your local American Dental Society

You can also send for some excellent free printed material.

Oral Health, Cancer Care, and You: Putting the Pieces Together

National Oral Health Information Clearinghouse

aerie.com@nohicweb

(877) 216-1019

Mouth Care for Cancer Patients

Oncology Dental Support Program

St. Johns Regional Health Center

1235 E. Cherokee

Springfield, MO 65804-2263

Oral Management of the Cancer Patient: A Guide for the Health Care Professional

Agnes Herrera, Instructional Resources Librarian

Dental Library

University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Dentistry

650 E. 25th St.

Kansas City, MO 64108-2795

(816) 276-2064

Support for People With Oral and Head and Neck Cancer (SPOHNC)

[Note: Their message center answers by pronouncing the name "spunk," which seems a wonderfully fitting name for a group of people who certainly need it.)

Editor: Nancy Leupold

P. O. Box 53

Locust Valley, NY 11560-0053

(516) 759-5333

Of course, going to the dentist is only part of mouth care. It's what you do for your mouth between office visits that also prevents mouth problems -- so be sure to read the rest of the articles in the Taking Care of Your Mouth Section!

© Copyright 1998, Nancy Symonds