dentures and dry mouth

My husband had nasalpharynx cancer many years ago and received a great deal of radiation. He is alive but the radiation has caused lots of problems...hearing loss, unable to swallow, teeth decay, dry mouth. Because of too many infections in his teeth, he had to have them all pulled and he has dentures. Problem is that no glue will keep the dentures in place. He has tried the gel and the powder types...nothing works. Has anyone had this problem or something similar? We just spent thousands of dollars on the dentures and he can't wear them. Please help us. Thank you

On Jan 07, 2010 10:36 PM cheval wrote:

My husband had nasalpharynx cancer many years ago and received a great deal of radiation. He is alive but the radiation has caused lots of problems...hearing loss, unable to swallow, teeth decay, dry mouth. Because of too many infections in his teeth, he had to have them all pulled and he has dentures. Problem is that no glue will keep the dentures in place. He has tried the gel and the powder types...nothing works. Has anyone had this problem or something similar? We just spent thousands of dollars on the dentures and he can't wear them. Please help us. Thank you

Hi....I'm new to this board and still feeling myself around. I have SCC of the palate and I wear upper and lower dentures. Had them for many many years. Now with tx and weight loss.....the only thing that holds my uppers in is a product called SEABOND. They are like thin wafers and I have to put two together....trim them with scissors and then fit them into my top plate after I clean it throughly. My bottom denture is still okay but have lower Seabonds on hand.  Have to keep my teeth in as much as possible because I feel gaggier if they are out. Not that they are helping any with eating cuz right now everything repulses me even water. EVERYTHING TASTES LIKE SALT WATER! I have a PEG and even though it's still giving me some probs.....I think they'll be showing me fast how to use it. I feel like crap the last couple of days. I'm on my 9th rad today. #10 Rad and 2nd chemo too coming up tomorrow. I know I'm getting dehydrated but there is NOTHING I can get down!! I'm so nauseus at the site of anything.....I was drinking water last week but NOW it's like drinking Long Island Sound!! Have all I can do to swallow compazine and my other meds.  Well enough about me.....Please try and find some SEABOND at your rx or grocery store and that should work for your hubby.  Di

 

On Jan 07, 2010 10:36 PM cheval wrote:

My husband had nasalpharynx cancer many years ago and received a great deal of radiation. He is alive but the radiation has caused lots of problems...hearing loss, unable to swallow, teeth decay, dry mouth. Because of too many infections in his teeth, he had to have them all pulled and he has dentures. Problem is that no glue will keep the dentures in place. He has tried the gel and the powder types...nothing works. Has anyone had this problem or something similar? We just spent thousands of dollars on the dentures and he can't wear them. Please help us. Thank you

I hope your still around I need your help! I want to begin by saying I had the same cancer your husband had and I have never talked with anyone with it it's so rare, I would love to talk more about it. I have been cancer free for 7 years now but the radiation and dry mouth has played a toll on my teeth as well. I am getting dentures soon but I too am worried about how dry mouth will affect them. It terrifies me to think of having my remaining teeth pulled and having to go one day without dentures! Please tell me did you finally find something to help him? How is he now?

I have had full lower dentures for about 18 months now.  I tried lots of stuff but ended up with ensure brand denture adhesive cream in the tube as my favorite.  Dry mouth has nothing to do with getting the dentures to stay in place.  I also am on my third set of lowers because of all the changes taking place from radiation recovery.  You gotta have a good fit and a lot of denture cream to get the bottoms to stay in place.  As PopPop says "your mileage may vary".  Cant help on the top teeth but it wont be long they will all be gone.   Keep trying and posting what works.......Slowlane

My husband had treatments 4 years ago for throat cancer; the dry mouth played havoc on his teeth and about 3 weeks ago he had all his teeth pulled and now has dentures.  I am concerned about the dry mouth issues because one specialist (all he does is dentures) refused to see him becuase of his condition.  He told us you have to have saliva for dentures to stay put.  Well, his teeth were crumbling in front of our eyes so it was not an option for them to stay in.  We found another dentist that agreed to treat him and she told us you only needed a little bit of saliva to create the suction.  Again, he has only had them for 3 weeks so I am sure we are in for a ride, but so far so good; the only issue is they like to move when he is trying to bite into food (his dentist said not to use the adhesive until he has healed a bit more).  The treatments with the gift that keeps on giving, but a small price to pay for healthy living 4 years later :)

I had my teeth pulled before radiation, and did not get my dentures for five months afterward.  I had lost a lot of bone, and my denturist felt I would need adhesive.  But I didn't because I could not swallow, and therefore was not eating at all.  Seven months later, after several throat dilations, I began eating, and now need to use adhesive.  My teeth still move some when I eat, but I think it's because they need some adjustment.  There are some foods that I may never eat, due to the combination of the dentures not being as good as real teeth, and my low saliva status.  But it's getting easier all the time.

I have a friend who wears dentures and uses the solid sheets for her uppers that were recommended above.  She swears by them, and I suspect eventually I'll look into them.  They seem like a good alternative for those of us with little mouth moisture.

I also had NPC and am close to three years clear.  I have dry mouth and have my teeth still.  In fact I have had to wear braces for the last two years to realign my teeth so I have less pressure on my jaw.  I can now open my mouth.  I hope after this, I don't start losing my teeth.  I have had two cavities since my treatment.  Does dental insurance or medical insurance pay for dentures?  I am working with my state rep. to have medical insurance pay for dental or oral devices due to head and neck cancer.  If dentures are in my future, I will now know how to make them stick.

Paula

Blue cross paid to have mine pulled before radiation and they covered a cheap lower plate that never ever fit....but they wont pay for any more plates.  And I had to have my oncologists orders in writing before the dentist would start or insurance would pay.

On May 10, 2012 3:39 AM paularae wrote:

I also had NPC and am close to three years clear.  I have dry mouth and have my teeth still.  In fact I have had to wear braces for the last two years to realign my teeth so I have less pressure on my jaw.  I can now open my mouth.  I hope after this, I don't start losing my teeth.  I have had two cavities since my treatment.  Does dental insurance or medical insurance pay for dentures?  I am working with my state rep. to have medical insurance pay for dental or oral devices due to head and neck cancer.  If dentures are in my future, I will now know how to make them stick.

Paula

Good Question on Medical Insurance and Dentures.  I did not submit any claims to my medical, but our dental did pay.  We maxed out the $2,000 limit on our dental and still owe $6,500 that we will be paying off over the next 5 years so if I can get my medical insurance to foot some of the bill, that would be awesome!

I live in Pittsburgh, PA and have Highmark Blue Cross-Blue Shield.  They have denied my dental and orthodontist claims even though I have a letter from my radiation doctor saying that what needed was medically neccesary.  I am in contact with my state Senator to try and make changes to medical insurance and oral/dental coverage.  Dental coverage has a small limit.  Mine is $1,000.00 per year.  We all need to write to our state senators to make this change.  I will post what I here back.  Doesn't seem fair that medical insurance will pay for a new breast, but not teeth to be able to eat.  Something is wrong with this picture.  In one week I get my braces off and was told I will need dental work.  This cancer has put me in financial trouble with dental work.  Wish I only needed a breast.