I’m in the middle of chemotherapy. Everything in my body hurts. I know I’m supposed to make sure I go to the dentist during treatment because they say the treatment is bad for my teeth, but the idea is terrifying. I’m already hurting so much. Is there anything which could make this easier?
Marilyn
Dear Marilyn,
A dentist shouldn’t make you want to hide!
You are so brave. I know how hard it is to deal with cancer treatments. The fact that you’re even trying to find a way to care for your teeth is incredible. It’s worth the effort, though. Your doctors are correct. The treatment you’re undergoing will wreak havoc on your oral health. You may even develop sores in your mouth which will make your treatment even more challenging.
For people in your situation, I always recommend finding a dentist who will cater to your situation. You’ll ideally want to have some form of dental sedation. At the beginning of your treatment, nitrous oxide and a gentle dentist will be enough. As treatment progresses, you may need a full-fledged sedation dentist.
Finding a Dentist Who Will Give Gentle Care
The first thing I’d do is an internet search using one of the following three terms:
- Gentle Dentist
- Sedation Dentist
- Cater to Cowards Dentist
Once you’ve found a few in your area, check out their reviews on places such as Yelp! or Google Reviews to see who really lives up to what they advertise. Then, call those who are left to and let them know your situation. Make sure they offer oral conscious sedation. This will be for the times you’re in the most pain and need work. It’s a simple pill you’ll take before your appointment. Most patients will sleep through the entire procedure. The only downside is you’ll need someone to drive you to and from your appointment as well as stay with you until you’re lucid again.
The benefit is you can get a lot of work done without any pain whatsoever.
This blog is brought to you by Decatur, AL Dentists Drs. Drake and Wallace.