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While your dentist in Glen Ellyn may not be the first physician to whom you speak after being diagnosed with cancer, you should keep your dentist appraised of your general health. Cancer causes shifts in your oral health, and part of family dental care involves treating these uncomfortable side effects.

During cancer treatment, about 1/3 of patients contact their dentist with symptoms like mouth sores, jaw pain, dry mouth, and sensitive gums. While family dental care does not treat underlying cancer, dentists do treat the side effects of chemotherapy. Be sure to discuss all issues directly with your dentist. For example, if your mouth sores do not heal right away, your dentist may want to work in conjunction with your doctor to delay chemotherapy. Your dentist can also prescribe painkillers to get you immediate relief.