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Palliative cancer care - oral problems - Management
How should I prevent complications following chemotherapy and radiotherapy?
- Start preventative measures before and during early cancer treatment to reduce the number of oral complications that follow chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
- Stress the importance of regular oral care. See Self care.
- Check that the person has had a pretreatment oral assessment and that any active dental work required is done.
- Explain that smoking and drinking alcohol can aggravate oral mucositis.
- Advise avoidance of abrasive foods likely to traumatise soft tissue and consider referral to a dietician for dietary advice as necessary.
Clarification / Additional information
- A pretreatment oral assessment will usually be arranged by the oncology unit.
- Any necessary dental treatment should be done urgently to avoid any delay in treatment.
- Dental extractions should have a healing time of 10 days before commencement of chemotherapy or radiotherapy.
Basis for recommendation
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