Anybody know if you can go to the dentist while going through chemo? My husband has a visible spot on one of his teeth and I don't think it should wait until he's completed his chemo if it's possible. Thanks!
My doc preferred that I hold off on Dental work until I was done with all my treatments, but I didn't have any major issues that needed attention - I would have only been going in for a cleaning. Check with your oncologist to see what he says...
Thats a good question, have you asked Ross or others he would probably have more insight on that. I only know that dental work on somewhat healthy individuals can lead to other infections/problems due to a weakened immune system.
I asked my oncologist what he thought and he said to wait until treatments are over. The risk of infection from dental work was his concern. Talk to your doctor and see what they recommend. My dentist was also willing to talk with my oncologist about it if I wanted to get a cleaning. Keep everyone talking- It might be that you can wait to have the work done, or that your oncologist will have a window where it would be most appropriate to get it done- like after checking the blood counts. There main concern is to keep you the most healthy you can be.
Dental issues and oral hygiene in general is a tough spot during cancer treatment. in fact either the US National Library of Medicine or the NCI has some great information about tooth care, I'll find it in a second. Ordinarily, time permitting, patients should be told to get any needed dental work out of the way before starting treatment.
that said, i'll echo what k is saying- and that is that most dentists can and should be members -albeit minor ones- of a patient's overall oncology team. doesn't mean the dentist is meeting with your oncologists to discuss combination chemo regimens, but keeping him or her informed of your treatment allows them to help you make certain decisions like this one.
Sorry I was wrong, it's from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (yes, of course it is ...) Anyway, check out the link, there's some direction as you reach the bottom.
I think there is no problem in visiting dentist as your husband don't have any major problem in his teeth. Dentist will put dental veneers to surface of the teeth to hide the visible spot. Though, you should consult some dentist for better suggestions.