Taking care of your mouth before treatment

It is often a good idea to visit your dentist for a thorough check-up before starting cancer treatment. Tell the dentist about the type of treatment you will be having so they can develop an oral health care plan.

It is especially important to see your dentist if you already have mouth problems or tooth decay, or if you are going to have high-dose chemotherapy, a stem cell transplant or radiation therapy to the head and neck area. If you are having radiation therapy to the mouth, your treatment team may require you to have a dental check-up before treatment starts.

You may need to have any decaying teeth removed before starting treatment. There is a higher risk of infection and bleeding if you have dental work during cancer treatment.

Before treatment, you can take care of your mouth by:

• eating a balanced, nutritious diet that includes a variety of foods from the five food groups – fruits, vegetables and legumes, wholegrains, meat (or alternatives) and dairy (or alternatives); if you are having difficulty eating, talk to a dietitian or speech pathologist about suitable foods
• quitting smoking – call the Quitline on 13 7848 or talk to your doctor
• limiting how much alcohol you drink
• learning how to care for your mouth – ask your dentist or healthcare team for advice.

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