Three Good Reasons to See a Dentist 

Before Cancer Treatment

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

National Institutes of Health

National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research
About Three Good Reasons To See a Dentist Before Cancer Treatment

Thank you for your interest in Three Good Reasons To See a Dentist Before Cancer 

Treatment. This publication is intended for adults with limited reading skills. It was 

developed by the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), 

one of the federal National Institutes of Health. 

This booklet provides important oral health information to patients with cancer through 

a series of unique illustrations called pictographs—pictures that represent ideas. 

Research conducted at the Johns Hopkins Oncology Center found that when pictographs 

were used, patients’ abilities to remember how to deal with problems associated with 

cancer treatment increased significantly. The pictographs consist of simple sketches 

with stick figures, allowing actions to be depicted in a clear, culturally neutral manner. 

In Three Good Reasons To See a Dentist Before Cancer Treatment, pictographs inform people 

who have been diagnosed with cancer about the oral health complications they may 

develop because of their treatment. The illustrations depict patients and the cancer care 

team in situations that highlight why patients need to seek dental care before, during, and 

after cancer treatment. Further, the pictographs explain steps patients can take during 

treatment to prevent or minimize oral health problems. 

Three Good Reasons To See a Dentist Before Cancer Treatment is most effective when a 

member of the health care team explains the booklet to the patient. Each pictograph 

represents actions that need to be reviewed. Introduced in this way, the pictographs 

serve to remind patients of the instructions when the booklet is reviewed at home. 

If you have any questions about this booklet or would like to order more copies, 

contact the National Oral Health Information Clearinghouse, a service of NIDCR. 

National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research

National Oral Health Information Clearinghouse

1 NOHIC Way

Bethesda, MD 20892-3500

1–866–232–4528 

http://www.nidcr.nih.gov
Three Good Reasons to See a Dentist 

Before Cancer Treatment

1 Fight Cancer

Your cancer care team 

should include a dentist.

2 Save Your Teeth 

and Bones

Children also need 

special protection.

Feel Better

Make sure you have a 

dental check up before 3 your first cancer treatment.


1

Protect Your Mouth 

During Cancer Treatment

Soak an extra-soft 

toothbrush in warm 

water to make it softer.

Brush your teeth 

and tongue gently. 

Brush after every meal.

Brush at bedtime.

Floss once a day.

If flossing hurts in one 

place, keep flossing in 

the others.



Rinse often with water.
Don’t use mouthwash

with alcohol in it.

Sip water and use a 

saliva subsitute to keep 

your mouth moist.

Choose soft, 

easy-to-chew foods.

Avoid spicy, sour,

or crunchy foods.

Avoid very hot 

or icy-cold food.

Avoid alcohol.

Stop smoking or 

chewing tobacco.
Tips for Mouth Problems

Sore Mouth, Sore Throat

•	 Rinse often with

•	 1⁄4 teaspoon of baking soda and

•	 1⁄4 teaspoon of salt in 1 quart of warm water

•	 Don’t swallow.

•	 Ask your cancer care team about medicine 

that can help with the pain.


Dry Mouth

•	 Sip water often.

•	 Use sugar-free gum

or candy.

•	 Talk to your dentist about 

saliva substitutes.

Eating Problems

•	 Ask for medicine to numb the pain.


Stiff Chewing Muscles

•	 Three times a day, open and close your mouth 

as far as you can without pain. Repeat 20 times.

Vomiting

•	 Rinse your mouth after vomiting. Use 1⁄4 teaspoon 

of baking soda in 1 cup of warm water.

•	 Don’t swallow.



Cavities

•	 Ask your dentist 

to put fluoride on 

your teeth to help 

prevent cavities.
When to Call Your Cancer Care Team

Check your mouth every day.



Sores  

Swelling  

Bleeding  

Pain   

Sticky

white film  
Oral Health, Cancer Care, and You

This booklet is part of the series, Oral Health, Cancer Care, and You: Fitting the 

Pieces Together, focused on managing and preventing oral complications of cancer 

treatment. The series was developed by the National Institute of Dental and 

Craniofacial Research in partnership with the National Cancer Institute, the 

National Institute of Nursing Research, and the Centers for Disease Control 

and Prevention. Publications in this series include:

For Health Professionals:

Dental Provider’s Oncology Pocket Guide 

Oral Complications of Cancer Treatment: 

What the Dental Team Can Do 

Oncology Pocket Guide to Oral Health 

Oral Complications of Cancer Treatment: 

What the Oncology Team Can Do 

For Patients:

Chemotherapy and Your Mouth

La quimioterapia y la boca

Head and Neck Radiation Treatment 

and Your Mouth 

La boca y el tratamiento de radiación en 

la cabeza y el cuello

Three Good Reasons to See a Dentist 

BEFORE Cancer Treatment

Tres buenas razones para ver a un dentista 

ANTES de comenzar el tratamiento contra 

el cáncer

Three Good Reasons to See a Dentist 

BEFORE Cancer Treatment (illustrated 

booklet for adults with limited reading skills) 

For free copies of these publications:

Order online at http://www.nidcr.nih.gov or contact:

National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research

National Oral Health Information Clearinghouse

1 NOHIC Way

Bethesda, MD 20892–3500

1–866–232–4528

This publication is not copyrighted.

Make as many photocopies as you need.

Centers for Disease 

Control and Prevention

NIH Publication No. 12–5172

August 2012

NIH...Turning Discovery Into Health®