CHEMOTHERAPY PREP: Oral hygiene

Thanks Ross! I am constantly brushing my teeth w extra soft toothbrush but don't know which toothpaste is better cause da flavor makes me want to vomit. Have been trying diff ones no luck yet :( I have always floss thank God no prob w that. For da sores in da mouth never had one use Popsicles n place my fruits in da freezer like grapes, da mangoes I peel them, they taste very good also. Thanks again

More great help from Ross!

I guess Ross just answered my question I was going to ask. My tongue was getting sore tonight and I took my little flash light out and my magnified mirror, and I've got what looks like blood blisters on the side of my tongue, bubbles across the top of it and looks like more in the back. I am drinking water,(and apple juice) I guess not enough, and I am rinsing (I guess not seriously enough) with baking soda and salt and water, I guess I have to gargle with it?????
Please tell me this isn't a real bad thing. Please tell me what to do. And please tell me fast, I'm starting to panic. for real!!

On target again, Ross!

After chemo, I had a stubborn R sub-clavicular node that was about 1cm. I was scheduled for a plug biopsy, but in the mean time, I saw my dentist for a nagging toothache on the right side of my lower jaw. It was an abscessed molar that needed a root canal.

After the root canal, I noticed that the node seemed smaller. I didn't know if it was my wishful thinking or __? I went to the scheduled biopsy at the hospital. The surgeon, nurses and pathologist were all there. After an ultrasound to locate and size the node, the surgeon stated that it had reduced in size! I told him that I thought it was from my abscessed tooth being fixed, and mused how at least I knew I had one struggling little node fighting the infection - what did he think?

He located the node, took a plug and handed it over to the pathologist who was there to make sure he had enough of a specimen to make a dx, and to make sure another biopsy in an other location of the node may have be taken.

After a few tense minutes, the pathologist gave the thumbs up! He not only had enough, but thought it looked good.

I wish I had gone in for dental tx before, as the anesthetic the dentist gave me created sores in my mouth that were incredible. Ended up going to a picnic and thought I was putting sweet relish on my hotdog- it was sour pickle relish! So much sour vinegar that I looked like a zombie walking around with my mouth wide open and drooling! At my dental check-up, the dentist and assistant were mortified- the sores had been going on for weeks- turns out that I'm allergic to whatever (forgot the name) the anesthetic was he used...

Then the thrush...

Found BIOTiN toothpaste and rinse for dry mouth and their gum, was a mouth saver to keep the mouth and gums lubricated. Also, Oral-B has a mouth sore rinse was great to have on hand.

Thanks for bringing this topic up, Ross. I didn't know until it was too late and hope others can get preventative care before chemo.

Robin

Hey, Denny! Welcome! I just posted on 'Dr. Appt Pg 30' Discussion thread to you regarding your tongue bumps- may or may not be of interest to you...

Nasty little creatures that like having sand in your eye, it feels like a boulder!

Sounds like you're doing what you can at home for now. May need a dental or Onc appt to help you along to really find out what it is. I use warm water with either salt OR baking soda. I've never tried both at once.

For me, oral thrush has been an ongoing problem. Mine starts out with the tip of my tongue and spreads back to the throat. Immune probs have a lot to do with this, as does type II diabetes for some people, and other ailments. So, for the sake of argument, lets say it is immune problems. Oral Candida or candiaisis. is caused by a yeast infection in the mouth. You can Google oral candida and perhaps there may be some suggestions on home/self treatment. Investing in a stainless steel tongue cleaner is a good thing to do, also. I'm able to put mine in the dishwasher to sterilize it or boil on the stove for ten minutes bxt uses. A LARGE serving spoon to use in place of a tongue scraper is also a good trick- Yeah, yeah, I hear you all laughing 'gag me with a spoon"!) That's why a LARGE dull spoon so you won't gag!

If it is thrush, in a day or two, you may notice a yellow/white coating on your tongue. It may start to turn brown or black and look like tiny hair follicles are growing on your tongue.

Gently start at the furthest back of the tongue/throat, there are naturally bumps back there, so not to worry. GENTLY pull the spoon or scraper over the effected areas toward the front or tip of the tongue, rinse the tool, and do each side, same with cheeks. Rinse mouth with soda solution when completed. Again, BIOTIN and Oral-B for Mouth Sores are the ones recommended to me. Wash scraper with hot, soapy water and sterilize.

While the bumps are blistery red and tender, I wouldn't do the above especially if its a bacterial infection causing it-
An appointment with the dentist is probably your best bet- then- pass it on to the rest of us,the information that is, not the problem, okay? :)

Good Luck!

Robin