Therapy Radiation therapy to the head and neck can cause oral complications that continue or emerge long after treatment has ended. Although patients may no longer be under the oncologist s care at that time, what patients learn about oral health during their treatment will affect how they deal with subsequent complications. Radiation to the head and neck may permanently reduce the quantity and quality of normal saliva, so ongoing oral care is crucial to oral health. Daily fluoride application, good nutrition, and oral hygiene are especially important. Radiation may alter oral tissues, so dentures may need to be reconstructed.
Some people can never again wear dentures because of friable tissues and xerostomia.
A dentist should closely monitor children who have received radiation to craniofacial and dental structures for abnormal growth and development. Helping Patients with Xerostomia Encourage patients to sip water often. Suggest using liquids to soften or thin foods. Recommend using sugarless gum or sugar-free hard candies to help stimulate saliva flow. Consider prescribing a saliva stimulant such as pilocarpine when appropriate.