Forum Discussion

Lozang's avatar
Lozang
Member
9 years ago

Mouth pain, tooth problems after radiation

I am wondering if anyone else has had dental problems or mouth pain during or after radiation? My story is tingling sensitive tongue, gums, lips from one week starting radiation on right breast. Was told it could have nothing to do wth radiation. This turned into pain and increased until I found a dentist in my new town. Cracked tooth under gum holding onto a crown and bridge! Crown and bridge removed then in week following end of radiation, a most awful procedure to extract the rest of the tooth. Healing is slow and a week later am still sleepless from pain. I now suspect some pain is coming from lower jaw (extraction was from top) and am fearful that radiation has weakened my system, teeth, jaw bone...and there's more trouble ahead.  Has anyone had anything similar to this? 

pain
radiotherapy
  • shell-ie78's avatar
    shell-ie78
    Member
    9 years ago

    Hello

    I'm a Dental Hygienist and what you're describing could be what is called a dry socket after an extraction. It can be extremely painful and usually requires some special medicament to be placed into the socket and antibiotics.

    The pain in the lower jaw could be referred pain from the dry socket which can be common. 

    If you're unable to get back to your dentist straight away, try to buy some savacol or use warm salt water (tsp salt in cup water) to rinse quite a few times a day. Also take whatever pain meds you are able to in line with your medical history. Nurophen would be good (as it is an anti-inflammatory)but only if you have had it before and have no liver probs. If you are a smoker, avoid it until the area has healed.

    But if it isn't getting better, definitely go back to the dentist asap. 

    In terms of the radiation treatment impacting, I'm not exactly sure. But I'm guessing your immune system may not be at it's best which would impact on wound healing. 

    Hope this helps a little. 

    Shellie

  • Keiley's avatar
    Keiley
    Member
    9 years ago

    Oh dear, Loz this sounds terrible! It's not fair you're going through this on top of everything else. Do you think you should go talk to your GP about these extra symptoms and the concerns you have? Maybe your GP will send you for some tests to have a look at your bones and check there's nothing else going on. Or maybe some different pain relief so you can rest properly. 

    I really hope you find some relief soon. Dental pain is dreadful.