Re: invasive dental work post RAI--Jane

[Guest guest]

Jane--

My dentist told me that radiation can cause lessened saliva flow, which in

turn can cause gum problems & tooth decay. That seems to be true of RAI, as

well as of the usual anti-cancer radiation.

Even a scan dose of RAI makes my mouth sore all over, for a few days.

I'll copy below 2 doctor posts on this.

Nina

geiger@...

--The mouth changes of soreness, sores and loss of taste are an effect of

the radioiodine. I don't know the exact mechanism of this effect.--Dr.

--One of the potential nuisances (as opposed to dangers) of radioiodine

therapy is permanent damage to the salivary glands. This may result in

diminished flow rates of saliva. There are a few medical consequences and

solutions: 1) Decreased saliva may make eating certain foods difficult.

This can be helped by using frequent small sips of water while eating. 2)

Decreased salivary flow produces increased risk of tooth decay because

saliva is critical to wash food particles off of teeth after eating. I

advise patients to carry a small travel toothbrush kit in their pocket or

purse. They should brush their teeth after EVERY meal. Sometimes this

produces an added benefit by reducing between meal snacking. 3) Decreased

salivary flow predisposes to " salivary stones. " This refers to the swelling

of one or more salivary glands (located under the ears and under the lower

jaw) due to partial blockage of the corresponding salivary duct by dried

saliva. This can be startling and worrisome if not recognized for what it

is. I do not advocate immediate use of antibiotics unless there is fever

and elevated white blood cell counts. Instead, this problem usually

responds to swishing warm water (or tea, coffee, broth, etc) in the mouth

while gently massaging the swollen salivary gland. Usually, there is a

sudden sour taste as the stale saliva is released and the swelling goes

away. If this does not work or if rapidly and frequently recurrent, then it

is important to go to your physician. Usually this problem happens

periodically and is then quiescent for a long time.--Dr. Ain, 3-01