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October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time to learn more about this disease and support those fighting it.
It may surprise you, but dental health has a profound relationship with other aspects of the body including hearing. Some research studies have indicated that a woman’s risk of developing breast cancer may be higher if she has chronic gum disease. It is thought that the immune response to constant inflammation caused by gum disease may suppress the immune system.
The main culprit behind gum disease is bacterial plaque accumulating on teeth and gums. The primary cause of this breeding ground of bacteria is inadequate daily oral hygiene. If the bacteria in plaque remain undisturbed, they’ll continue to advance below the gum line, causing damage to the underlying gum attachment and surrounding bone around the tooth roots. This entrenchment is the main reason that 70% of people with advanced gum disease develop a chronic form that worsens with age.
The body’s immune system fights this threatening infection with an inflammatory response, a normal defense mechanism intended to isolate bacteria and rid it from the body. If the two sides in this war stalemate are in their positions, the inflammation becomes chronic—and begins to harm the tissues it’s supposed to protect.
Plaque can be controlled with good at-home hygiene habits and regular, professional dental cleaning and checkups. Gum disease can be treated, but it is much easier and far less expensive to get regular cleanings and prevent gum disease from happening.
Dental Care and Treatment for Breast Cancer
Chemotherapy and radiation therapy are often life-saving treatments. They may also cause physical challenges such as nausea and fatigue. Your healthcare team will help you understand what to expect and how to manage these issues. Among them are side effects that can impact the mouth and oral health.
The most common oral complication caused by chemotherapy is “dry mouth” (Xerostomia is the medical term). Saliva is the mouth’s major defense against tooth decay, and a dry mouth can cause accelerated tooth decay, swollen gums, gum disease, oral sores, pain, and bad breath. Chemotherapy can cause dry mouth, and it can also be caused or worsened by over 500 different medications, according to the American Dental Association (ADA). Some of these medications may be prescribed to you as part of your treatment plan. The good news is that dry mouth symptoms can easily be managed with help from a dental professional.
Getting a dental checkup allows dental diseases to be treated. You should see your dental professional at least four weeks before starting any chemotherapy or radiation, according to The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), assuming that aligns with your cancer care team’s recommendations. Good oral health can prevent or reduce oral complications during and after your cancer therapy, according to ASCO.
You can reduce dry mouth complications by staying hydrated and practicing good oral hygiene at home. This includes brushing your teeth twice a day and cleaning between your teeth with floss or a water flosser (also known as interdental cleaning) twice a day. Follow up with mouthwash to wash away any remaining bacteria. Your dentist can also prescribe, or point you to, products that can ease the symptoms of dry mouth.
Affordable Dental Care is Essential
On average, every two minutes a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer in the United States. According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, about one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer. The good news? Death rates from breast cancer have been declining since about 1990, in part due to better screening and early detection, increased awareness, and continually improving treatment options.
And, although rare, men get breast cancer too. In 2021, an estimated 2,650 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year in the U.S.
There’s no guarantee that a healthy mouth prevents cancer, but good oral health is important to your overall wellness. If you’ve been skipping regular dental checkups due to budget concerns, consider joining a dental savings plan. Plan members report and average savings of 50%* on their dental care. And many plans also come with other wellness savings, such as discounts on prescription drugs, hearing, vision, and chiropractic care, as well as telehealth services. If you’d like to learn more about dental savings plans and how they help to make oral healthcare more accessible, please reach out to us at 1-833-735-0399 or use our calculator below.
*Discount Health Program consumer and provider surveys indicate average savings of 50%. Savings may vary by provider, location and plan. Savings range from 10-60% off.