Oral Health During Cancer Therapy

Oral complications are a common side effect of chemotherapy, radiation, and bone marrow transplantation. These side effects can include inflamed gums, dry mouth, dental decay, loss of taste, jaw stiffness, and delayed healing. Before beginning your cancer treatment, you should consult a periodontist in order to identify and correct potential oral problems so that they do not intensify during your treatment. Surgical procedures are not generally recommended during the course of your treatment, so it is important to minimize the risk before your therapy begins.