Each year 1.2 million Americans are diagnosed with cancer.  400,000 of those diagnosed will have oral complications from cancer treatments.  One hundred percent of patients with cancers whose treatment includes head and neck radiation will have oral complications.  Cancer is beginning to be considered a chronic disease, rather than always a fatal one.

Primary complications include:  mucositis/stomatitis (mouth sores), pain, infection, salivary gland disfunction, rampant decay/demineralization, taste alterations, and trismus (continuous contraction of the muscles of the jaw which can lead to gnashing and grinding of the teeth).  Secondary complications include:  dehydration, dysgeusia (difficulty swallowing), malnutrition, and systemic infection.  The good news is that  many of these complications can be prevented!

First-have a thorough dental cleaning (prophylaxis) prior to chemotherapy.  Chemotherapy is acidic.  It basically creates burns in the tissue.  The trick is to neutralize the tissues of the mouth.  Rinse with 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda and 1/4 teaspoon of salt in 1 quart of warm water every 1/2 to 2 hours.  This rinsing regimen is best monitored by someone other than the patient.  It's easy to forget how long it's been since the last rinse or to decide that staying on top of this rinse regimen can not be that helpful when you step back and take a look at the many decisions being made by a cancer patient.

Seems too simple, but honoring the pH system that our bodies need to stay healthy is powerful!