Does chemotherapy cause tooth decay?

Answering...





What I am sure is, chemotherapy causes hair loss...





Chemotherapy use chemicals containing toxic substances that kills cancer cells. That is why, among the adverse side effects of it is hair loss and dizziness and nausea...





If it adversely affects some body parts, then it could also be possible that it can affect the teeth...





It may not affect the teeth directly but it may affect the nerves and tissues surrounding the tooth, leading to tooth decay...

Does chemotherapy cause tooth decay?
don't know, but wouldn't be suprised. Doing chemo, is like dropping an a bomb on your house as a way of dealing with termites.
Reply:NO. The only thing that can cause true "tooth decay" is sugar and bacteria. Decay results from residual sugars from daily food intake being fermented by oral bacteria. Bacteria form lactic acid as a byproduct of their metabolism. This acid allows penetration of the tooth by dissolving enamel and ultimately allowing more sugar and bacteria to perpetuate the decay. Chemo can affect the health of the structures that surround the teeth--gums, and bones. Chemo should not be done immediately after tooth extractions. This can lead to a devastating diseased condition--osteoradionecrosis.