7 EFFECTIVE METHODS OF MAINTAINING ORAL HEALTH IN CANCER TREATMENT

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EFFECTIVE METHODS OF MAINTAINING ORAL HEALTH IN CANCER

Turkish Oral Health, Periodontology Specialist Prof. Dr. says that for this reason, the overall success of cancer treatment is affected by going to the dentist without starting treatment and that the quality of life of the patient increases significantly by preventing possible intra-oral complications.

Although major advances have been made in cellular or targeted cancer treatment, both chemotherapy and radiation therapy can damage healthy tissues along with diseased cells, although minimal. As the immune system weakens, the tissues in the mouth are also affected. However, as the flow of saliva decreases, the defense becomes weaker due to the disappearance of the protective effect of saliva, and mouth sores appear. Because mouth sores, viruses, fungi and bacteria act as the gateway to the body, both inside the mouth and the entire system become open to infections. Therefore, apart from the problems caused by cancer, problems that affect overall body health can occur. Oral Health, Periodontology Specialist Prof. Dr points out that all this can prevent cancer treatment, leading to a decommissioning or termination of chemotherapy, which can have serious consequences. For this reason, it is important to check the mouth and teeth before cancer treatment.

Cannot perform oral procedures simultaneously with cancer treatment

What needs to be done about oral health should be applied before treatment begins. Because after starting cancer treatment, there is no chance of treatment for the mouth. ” Here, the correct assessment must be made by placing conditions on both sides of the scale, ” said The Professor Dr. “dental and oral treatment can not be done simultaneously with cancer treatment. Necessarily needs to be done before. However, prior procedures can contribute to the overall success of cancer treatment, and the quality of life of the patient can be significantly improved by preventing possible intra-oral complications,” she says.

To maintain oral health during cancer treatment

During chemotherapy or radiation therapy, any problems that may occur in the oral cavity, such as fungi or herpes, can be controlled with the help of wound covering gels, pomades, relaxing mouthwashes and painkillers. In addition, patients should also take into account some warnings and pay as much attention to oral hygiene as possible, said Prof. Dr. lists his warnings as follows…

Choosing the right toothbrush

Patients should definitely prefer a soft tooth brush. Even if it is difficult to use it, the toothbrush should be soaked in boiling water to make it even softer.

Menthol-free pastes should be preferred: menthol-containing pastes that are sharp and may irritate the mucous membrane should not be used.

It should be stopped immediately if conditions such as burning, tenderness occur, especially in dis meat, Agus tissues. If the gums bleed spontaneously or with a small warning, and no brush or paste can be used, cleaning with gauze should be done.

Mouthwashes should be used

Mouthwashes are a suitable solution, especially in patients with very low blood values, as bleeding may occur during brushing. For this, mouthwashes that do not contain alcohol but can affect bacteria should be used to ensure oral hygiene. If necessary, the gas buffers should be soaked with mouthwash and cleaned by wiping the teeth and tissues of the mouth.

Mouth and lips should be kept moist

It is important to pay attention to oral hygiene, as dryness of the mouth leads to more plaque accumulation. However, drinking water often but gradually and taking nutrients along with water, chewing gum without sugar to increase saliva secretion, or sucking lemon sugars without sugar also benefits in moistening the mouth. In order to prevent the formation of wounds on the lips, it should be moistened frequently with an oil-free product.

Protect against irritation

Alcohol and cigarettes are at the beginning of the irritating factors of the mouth tissues, so you should first avoid them. In addition, it is necessary not to consume garlic, cold, spicy, salty, acidic, hot foods and drinks that will affect the tissues. Such hard, dry foods should not be eaten, as hard foods such as breadcrumbs can injure the tissues of the mouth when the number of white blood cells decreases.

Dentures should only be used when eating

Especially after high-dose chemotherapy and radiation therapy, prostheses should only be used during meals for 3 weeks. After cleaning with soap, it should be stored in clean water. Again, if there are wounds in the mouth, the wound healing, covering gel or pomates recommended by the doctor should be placed in the prosthesis, preventing the development of the wound and providing comfort.

Ice application

Because it will reduce blood flow, therefore, the drug reaches the tissues of the mouth, the tissues of the mouth should be protected by absorbing ice molds before and 1/2 hour after administration of chemotherapy drugs.

Attention to oral hygiene after treatment

It is also important that patients undergoing cancer treatment pay attention to oral health after their treatment. Because radiation therapy, especially in the head and neck area, causes a lot of bruises. A professor who reminded that the infection that can occur also affects general health Dr.says that for this reason, it is very important to ensure hygiene after treatment and to go to regular dental checkups. Tooth extraction can be done 1-1.5 years after treatment. Orthodontic treatments and implant applications for at least 1-1. 5 years should pass, indicating that the professor Dr. “Jaw and tooth development during and after treatment in children should also be closely monitored and fluorine should be applied for protection purposes,” says.

What to do before cancer treatment

* Radiography should be taken, oral dental examination should be done.

* Oral hygiene should be provided and a personalized oral hygiene method should be determined.

* Families of child patients should also be educated.

* Teeth that may be the focus of infection, gum treatments should be completed.

* Inappropriate fillings and dentures should be replaced.

* Teeth with sharp edges and restorations should be corrected.

* Desperate teeth must be pulled.

* Fluoride should be applied to the teeth to prevent caries,

* Orthodontic treatment should be discontinued.

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President of Organ Transplant Center at MedicalPark Hospital Antalya

Turkey's world-renowned organ transplant specialist. Dr. Demirbaş has 104 international publications and 102 national publications.

Physician's Resume:

Born on August 7, 1963 in Çorum, Prof. Dr. Alper Demirbaş has been continuing his work as the President of MedicalPark Antalya Hospital Organ Transplantation Center since 2008.

Prof. who performed the first tissue incompatible kidney transplant in Turkey, the first blood type incompatible kidney transplant, the first kidney-pancreas transplant program and the first cadaveric donor and live donor liver transplant in Antalya. Dr. As of August 2016, Alper Demirbaş has performed 4900 kidney transplants, 500 liver transplants and 95 pancreas transplants.

In addition to being the chairman of 6 national congresses, he has also been an invited speaker at 12 international and 65 national scientific congresses. Dr. Alper Demirbaş was married and the father of 1 girl and 1 boy.

Awards:

Eczacibasi Medical Award of 2002, Akdeniz University Service Award of 2005, Izder Medical Man of the Year Award of 2006, BÖHAK Medical Man of the Year Award of 2007, Sabah Mediterranean Newspaper Scientist of the Year Award of 2007, ANTIKAD Scientist of the Year Award of 2009, Social Ethics Association Award of 2010, Işık University Medical Man of the Year Award of 2015, VTV Antalya's Brand Value Award of 2015.

Certificates:

Doctor of Medicine Degree Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine Ankara, General Surgeon Ministry of Health Turkey EKFMG (0-477-343-8), University of Miami School of Medicine Member of Multiple Organ Transplant, ASTS Multiorgan Transplant Scholarship. Lecturer at Kyoto University. Lecturer at University of Essen, Research assistant at the University of Cambridge .

Professional Members:

American Society of Transplant Surgeons, American Transplantation Society Nominated, Middle East and Southern Africa Council Transplantation Society 2007, International Liver Transplantation Association, Turkish Transplantation Association, Turkish Society of Surgery, Turkish Hepatobiliary Surgery Association.

Disclaimer:

Our website contents consist of articles approved by our Web and Medical Editorial Board with the contributions of our physicians. Our contents are prepared only for informational purposes for public benefit. Be sure to consult your doctor for diagnosis and treatment.
Medically Reviewed by Professor Doctor Alper Demirbaş
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