After receiving a cancer diagnosis, many patients immediately seek out a large hospital for treatment. However, one critical step they often overlook is visiting their local dentist.
“People rush to big hospitals as soon as they are diagnosed with cancer, but that’s precisely when they should also see a dentist,” said Professor Kwon Do-hyun of the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Samsung Medical Center. He emphasized this point during an interview on the hospital’s official YouTube channel.
Before beginning comprehensive cancer treatment, it’s crucial for patients to address any existing dental issues. Neglecting dental health can lead to complications during chemotherapy or radiation therapy.
“It’s challenging to manage dental problems once chemotherapy or radiation therapy starts,” Professor Kwon advised.
“Patients should visit a dentist for a thorough checkup before initiating cancer treatment. If any dental issues are identified, they should be treated in advance.”
But why is it so difficult to handle dental problems during cancer treatment?
“Cytotoxic antitumor drugs are designed to kill cancer cells, but they can’t exclusively target these cells,” Kwon explained.
“These drugs also attack other rapidly dividing cells in the body, which can lead to side effects like hair loss, diarrhea, and reduced bone marrow function.”
Reduced bone marrow function, in particular, can lower platelet levels, which complicates dental procedures. “Dental treatments often involve bleeding, and with low platelet counts, there can be issues with blood clotting, increasing the risk of infections spreading throughout the body,” Kwon noted.
For patients undergoing dental implant treatment, a cancer diagnosis typically halts the procedure.
“While routine cavity treatments or fillings can be completed in a short time, dental implants require a lengthy process, including placement, a waiting period, and follow-up surgery. If a patient is diagnosed with cancer during implant treatment, the surgery is usually put on hold,” Kwon said.
Once chemotherapy is completed, the interrupted implant treatment can resume.
“Some patients, after years of chemotherapy, finally get their implants or dentures finished,” Professor Kwon mentioned.
“Dentures and other dental treatments are often delayed until after the completion of chemotherapy.”
Visiting a dentist before starting cancer treatment ensures that any potential dental issues are addressed, reducing the risk of complications during chemotherapy or radiation therapy.