I love my dentist, but if I had an oncologist, his/her advice would supersede. Best wishes with the chemo.

I agree that an oncologists advice might be something I would take over my dentists.

I have used a prescription strength fluoride toothpaste at different times. It seems like it was gel like, but you brushed normally, did not rinse, and used it only at bedtime not eating or drinking after brushing with it.

I was taking a med for a while that caused my mouth to be a little dry. Dentist suggested the prescription fluoride toothpaste as a precaution.

Maifleur, yes, people can and do live without their teeth but its still best to question, and take the very best possible care of them. I've seen some real nutrition problems with some elderly over these last years from missing molars. Not every elderly has a jaw type that would support late in life bridges, partials, or implants. In a perfect world, everyone would have all their teeth.

morz you missed my point by a thousand miles. Chisue is having chemo and perhaps other things. Some things can interfere with the chemo. Missing teeth or death you take your choice.

I am going to weigh in on the side of listen to your oncologist. They have ultra specialist info on chemical interactions with what ever you are taking.. Be safe and not sorry. Follow a careful program with your teeth and gums. Chemotherapy and the new biologics target fast growing cells as the ones in your mouth are. So brush and floss carefully, a water pic sort of device is not a bad idea. Mouth care is really important but it is your gums that are the problem, not your teeth.

Would ask dentist for evidence (literature published in peer reviewed journal) that you can read and take to your oncologist. A good dentist should easily be able to provide support for their recommendations.

Just tell your dentist that your oncologist says to not have fluoride.

Fluoride is poison to the thyroid (it's used to treat hyperthyroidism) and does not naturally occur in teeth or any other part of the body. There are safer, more natural ways to strengthen the enamel on the teeth.

"She said it was not recommended."

I think you need a fuller explanation from the oncologist. "Not recommended" as in it will harm you, or won't help you? Or some other reason?

The Dana Farber institute says yes to fluoride. Dana Farber

Most drinking water has fluoride in the drinking water which is more than enough.

Unfortunately fluoride was added the the drinking water here, so I got a Zero Water pitched to filter it out.

Thanks for the link, Graywings. It helps me understand this better.

I think my oncologist was saying that the OTC toothpaste with fluoride my dentist recommended (at $20 a tube) was not necessary -- for me. Two things: Not that paste; and not in my case. She was also saying that NO special treatment was necessary for me.

My chemo was weekly at that time. It's been monthly for the last few months. This will go on as long as I live. There is no cure for Multiple Myeloma.

I receive no radiation, only an injection of Velcade. I have no mouth sores or dry mouth. Sinus problems can result in mouth breathing at night. (I'm starting to Tape My Mouth Shut overnight! Very pretty.)

I think that IF my oncologist thinks I need fluoride gel she will prescribe a *medically formulated* dose.

I few teeth without some kind of filling, inlay, onlay, crown, post and crown, bridge, etc. My genetic makeup and growing up before water had fluoride have left me 'with teeth', but with 'mended' teeth in need of constant monitoring.. A $4K outlay looms to replace a crown and post and one other crown. I broke one by clenching my teeth while opening a stubborn bottle; the other has some decay starting beneath it. This is par for the course every few years over my lifetime. It's my ongoing contribution to the college funds of dentists' children over at least seven decades.

I've used Breathe Right strips occasionally. They help keep the sinuses open.

Breathe Right

Thanks, Graywings. Why NOT? Tape on my mouth. Tape on my nose.

(Better than 'bells', eh?)