What is the effect of radiotherapy as a treatment for cancer on dental management?
It depends on where the radiotherapy was aimed. Usually, areas below the chest area are pretty clear of the head and neck area, so they aren’t much of a problem. Radiotherapy to head and neck and upper chest can have effects on the oral cavity. The most common symptom of this is the dry mouth caused by decreased salivary secretion. This can lead to increased decay especially around the necks of teeth. The gums and cheek linings can also become inflamed, which is called mucositis. Extractions of teeth, especially lowers can be extremely risky, as this can lead to a phenomenon called osteoradionecrosis, where the jaw bone is severely destroyed after extraction, due to reduced blood flow to the lower jaw caused by radiation therapy. Usually, it is extremely important to have as much of the patient’s dental work done before radiotherapy, and continue preventive treatment during and after radiotherapy. Most large cancer hopsitals may have a dental department who specialise in the treatment
