Dental and Oral Care before the Initiation of Cancer Therapy
Objectives
The objectives of a dental/oral examination before cancer therapy starts are two-fold:
- To identify and stabilize or eliminate existing and potential sources of infection and local irritants in the oral cavity—without needlessly delaying the cancer treatment or inducing complications
- To educate the patient and parents about the importance of optimal oral care in order to minimize oral problems/discomfort before, during, and after treatment and about the possible acute and long-term effects of the therapy in the oral cavity and the craniofacial complex
Initial Evaluation
Medical history review: should include, but not be limited to, type of disease/condition, treatment protocol, medications (including bisphosphonates), allergies, surgeries, secondary medical diagnoses, and immunosuppression status. For hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) patients, include type of transplant, matching status, donor, conditioning protocol, and graft versus host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis. The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends that antibiotic prophylaxis for nonvalvular devices, including indwelling vascular catheters (i.e., central lines) is indicated only at the time of placement of these devices in order to prevent surgical site infections. The AHA found no convincing evidence that microorganisms associated with dental procedures cause infection of nonvalvular devices at any time after implantation. The infections occurring after device implantation most often are caused by staphylococcal Gram-negative bacteria or other microorganisms associated with surgical implantation or other active infections. The AHA further states that immunosuppression is not an independent risk factor for nonvalvular device infections; immunocompromised hosts who have those devices should receive antibiotic prophylaxis as advocated for immunocompetent hosts. Consultation with the child's physician is recommended for management of patients with nonvalvular devices.
Dental history review: includes information such as habits, trauma, symptomatic teeth, previous care, preventive practices, etc.
Oral/dental assessment: should include thorough head, neck, and intraoral examinations, oral hygiene assessment and training, and radiographic evaluation based on history and clinical findings.
Preventive Strategies
Oral hygiene: Oral hygiene includes brushing of the teeth and tongue 2 to 3 times daily with regular soft brush or electric toothbrush, regardless of the hematological status. Ultrasonic brushes and dental floss should be allowed only if the patient is properly trained. Patients with poor oral hygiene and/or periodontal disease can use chlorhexidine rinses daily until the tissue health improves or mucositis develops. The high alcohol content of commercially-available chlorhexidine mouthwash may cause discomfort and dehydrate the tissues in patients with mucositis; thus, an alcohol-free solution is indicated in this situation.
Diet: Dental practitioners should encourage a non-cariogenic diet and advise patients/parents about the high cariogenic potential of dietary supplements rich in carbohydrate and oral pediatric medications rich in sucrose.
Fluoride: Preventive measures include the use of fluoridated toothpaste, fluoride supplements if indicated, neutral fluoride gels/rinses, or applications of fluoride varnish for patients at risk for caries and/or xerostomia. A brush-on technique is convenient and may increase the likelihood of patient compliance with topical fluoride therapy.
Trismus prevention/treatment: Patients who receive radiation therapy to the masticatory muscles may develop trismus. Thus, daily oral stretching exercises/physical therapy should start before radiation is initiated and continue throughout treatment. Therapy for trismus may include prosthetic aids to reduce the severity of fibrosis, trigger-point injections, analgesics, muscle-relaxants, and other pain management strategies.
Reduction of radiation to healthy oral tissues: In cases of radiation to the head and neck, the use of lead-lined stents, prostheses, and shields, as well as salivary gland sparing techniques (e.g., 3-dimensional conformal or intensity modulated radiotherapy, concomitant cytoprotectants, surgical transfer of salivary glands), should be discussed with the radiation oncologist.
Education: Patient/caretaker education includes the importance of optimal oral care in order to minimize oral problems/discomfort before, during, and after treatment and the possible acute and long-term effects of the therapy in the craniofacial complex.
Dental Care
Hematological Considerations
- Absolute neutrophil count (ANC)
- >1,000/mm3: no need for antibiotic prophylaxis. However, some authors suggest that antibiotic coverage (dosed per AHA recommendations) may be prescribed when the ANC is between 1,000 and 2,000/mm3. If infection is present or unclear, more aggressive antibiotic therapy may be indicated and should be discussed with the medical team.
- <1,000/mm3: defer elective dental care until the ANC rises. In dental emergency cases, discuss antibiotic coverage beyond endocarditis prophylaxis with medical team before proceeding with treatment. The patient may need hospitalization for dental management.
- Platelet count
- >75,000/mm3: no additional support needed but the dentist should be prepared to treat prolonged bleeding by using sutures, hemostatic agents, pressure packs, gelatin foams, etc.
- 40,000-75,000/ mm3: platelet transfusions may be considered pre- and 24 hours post-operatively. Localized procedures to manage prolonged bleeding may include sutures, hemostatic agents, pressure packs, and/or gelatin foams.
- <40,000/ mm3: defer care. In dental emergency cases, contact the patient's physician to discuss supportive measures (e.g., platelet transfusions, bleeding control, hospital admission) before proceeding.
- Other coagulation tests may be in order for individual patients.
Dental Procedures
- In general terms, most oncology/hematology protocols (exclusive of HCT, which will be discussed later) are divided into phases (cycles) of chemotherapy, in addition to other therapies (e.g., radiotherapy, surgery). The patient's blood counts normally start falling 5 to 7 days after the beginning of each cycle, staying low for approximately 14-21 days, before rising again to normal levels for a few days until the next cycle begins. Ideally, all dental care should be completed before cancer therapy is initiated. When that is not feasible, temporary restorations can be placed and non-acute dental treatment may be delayed until the patient's hematological status is stable.
- Prioritizing procedures: When all dental needs cannot be treated before cancer therapy is initiated, priorities should be infections, extractions, periodontal care (e.g., scaling, prophylaxis), and sources of tissue irritation before the treatment of carious teeth, root canal therapy for permanent teeth, and replacement of faulty restorations. The risk for pulpal infection and pain determine which carious lesions should be treated first. Incipient to small caries can be treated with fluorides and sealants until definitive care can be accomplished. It is also important to be aware that the signs and symptoms of periodontal disease can be decreased in immunosuppressed patients.
- Pulp therapy in primary teeth: Although there have been no studies to date that address the safety of performing pulp therapy in primary teeth prior to the initiation of chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy, many clinicians choose to provide a more definitive treatment in the form of extraction because pulpal/periapical/furcal infections during immunosuppression periods can have a significant impact on cancer treatment and become life-threatening. Teeth that already have been treated pulpally and are clinically and radiographically sound present minimal risk.
- Endodontic treatment in permanent teeth: Symptomatic non-vital permanent teeth should receive root canal treatment at least 1 week before initiation of cancer therapy to allow sufficient time to assess treatment success before the chemotherapy. If that is not possible, extraction is indicated. Extraction is also the treatment of choice for teeth that cannot be treated by definitive endodontic treatment in a single visit. In that case, the extraction should be followed by antibiotic therapy (penicillin or for penicillin-allergic patients, clindamycin) for about 1 week. Asymptomatic endodontic needs in permanent teeth can be delayed until the hematological status of the patient is stable. It is important that the etiology of periapical lesions associated with previously endodontically treated teeth be determined because they can be caused by a number of factors including pulpal infections, inflammatory reactions, apical scars, cysts, and malignancy. If a periapical lesion is associated with an endodontically treated tooth and no signs or symptoms of infection are present, there is no need for retreatment or extraction since the radiolucency is likely due to an apical scar.
- Orthodontic appliances and space maintainers: Poorly fitting appliances can abrade oral mucosa and increase the risk of microbial invasion into deeper tissues. Appliances should be removed if the patient has poor oral hygiene and/or the treatment protocol or HCT conditioning regimen carries a risk for the development of moderate to severe mucositis. Simple appliances (e.g., band and loops, fixed lower lingual arches) that are not irritating to the soft tissues may be left in place in patients who present good oral hygiene. Removable appliances and retainers that fit well may be worn as long as tolerated by the patient who maintains good oral care. Patients should be instructed to change appliance soaking solutions daily and routinely clean appliance cases with an antimicrobial solution to prevent contamination and reduce the risk of appliance-associated oral infections. If band removal is not possible, vinyl mouth guards or orthodontic wax should be used to decrease tissue trauma.
- Periodontal considerations: Partially erupted molars can become a source of infection because of pericoronitis. The overlying gingival tissue should be excised if the dentist believes it is a potential risk and if the hematological status permits. Patients should have a periodontal assessment and appropriate therapy prior to receiving bisphosphonates as part of cancer treatment. If the patient has had bisphosphonates and an invasive periodontal procedure is indicated, risks must be discussed with the patient, parents, and physicians prior to the procedure.
- Extractions: There are no clear recommendations for the use of prophylactic antibiotics for extractions. Recommendations generally have been empiric or based on anecdotal experience. Surgical procedures must be as atraumatic as possible, with no sharp bony edges remaining and satisfactory closure of the wounds. If there is documented infection associated with the tooth, antibiotics–ideally chosen with the benefit of sensitivity–testing, should be administered for about 1 week.
- To minimize the risk of development of osteonecrosis or osteoradionecrosis, patients who will receive bisphosphonates or radiation to the jaws as part of the cancer treatment must have all oral surgical procedures completed before those measures are instituted. If the patient has received bisphosphonates or radiation to the jaws and an oral surgical procedure is necessary, risks must be discussed with the patient, parents, and physician prior to the procedure.
- Loose primary teeth should be allowed to exfoliate naturally and the patient should be counseled to not play with them in order to avoid bacteremia. If the patient cannot comply with this recommendation, the teeth should be removed if the hematologic parameters allow.
- Nonrestorable teeth, root tips, teeth with periodontal pockets >6 mm, symptomatic impacted teeth, and teeth exhibiting acute infections, significant bone loss, involvement of the furcation, or mobility should be removed ideally 2 weeks (or at least 7 to 10 days) before cancer therapy is initiated to allow adequate healing.
- Some practitioners prefer to extract all third molars that are not fully erupted, particularly prior to HCT, while others favor a more conservative approach, recommending extraction of third molars at risk for pulpal infection or those associated with significant periodontal infection, including pericoronitis.
Dental and Oral Care during Immunosuppression Periods
Objectives
The objectives of a dental/oral care during cancer therapy are three-fold:
- To maintain optimal oral health during cancer therapy
- To manage any oral side effects that may develop as a consequence of the cancer therapy
- To reinforce the patient and parents' education regarding the importance of optimal oral care in order to minimize oral problems/discomfort during treatment
Preventive Strategies
Oral hygiene: Intensive oral care is of paramount importance because it reduces the risk of developing moderate/severe mucositis without causing an increase in septicemia and infections in the oral cavity. Thrombocytopenia should not be the sole determinant of oral hygiene as patients are able to brush without bleeding at widely different levels of platelet count. Patients should use a soft nylon brush 2 to 3 times daily and replace it on a regular (every 2-3 months) basis. Fluoridated toothpaste may be used, but if the patient does not tolerate it during periods of mucositis due to oral burning or stinging sensations, it may be discontinued and the patient should brush with water alone. If moderate to severe mucositis develops and the patient cannot tolerate a regular soft nylon toothbrush or an end-tufted brush, foam brushes or super soft brushes soaked in chlorhexidine may be used. Otherwise, foam or super soft brushes should be discouraged because they do not allow for effective cleaning.The use of a regular brush should be resumed as soon as the mucositis improves. Brushes should be air-dried between uses. Electric or ultrasonic brushes are acceptable if the patient is capable of using them without causing trauma and irritation. If patients are skilled at flossing without traumatizing the tissues, it is reasonable to continue flossing throughout treatment. Toothpicks and water irrigation devices should not be used when the patient is pancytopenic to avoid tissue trauma.
Diet: Dental practitioners should encourage a non-cariogenic diet and advise patients/parents about the high cariogenic potential of dietary supplements rich in carbohydrate and oral pediatric medications rich in sucrose.
Fluoride: Preventive measures include the use of fluoridated toothpaste, fluoride supplements if indicated, neutral fluoride gels/rinses, or applications of fluoride varnish for patients at risk for caries and/or xerostomia. A brush-on technique is convenient, familiar, and simple and may increase the likelihood of patient compliance with topical fluoride therapy.
Lip care: Lanolin-based creams and ointments are more effective in moisturizing and protecting against damage than petrolatum-based products.
Education: Patient/parent education includes reinforcing the importance of optimal oral hygiene and teaching strategies to manage soft tissue changes (e.g., mucositis, oral bleeding, xerostomia) in order to minimize oral problems/discomfort during treatment and the possible acute and long-term effects of the therapy in the craniofacial complex.
Dental Care
During immunosuppression, elective dental care must not be provided. If a dental emergency arises, the treatment plan should be discussed with the patient's physician who will make recommendations for supportive medical therapies (e.g., antibiotics, platelet transfusions, analgesia). The patient should be seen every 6 months (or in shorter intervals if there is a risk of xerostomia, caries, trismus, and/or chronic oral GVHD) for an oral health evaluation during treatment, in times of stable hematological status and always after reviewing the medical history. If a central line is still in place and an invasive dental procedure is planned, consultation with the oncologist is recommended.
Management of Oral Conditions Related to Cancer Therapies
Mucositis: Mucositis care remains focused on palliation of symptoms and efforts to reduce the influence of secondary factors on mucositis. The Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer/International Society of Oral Oncology has published guidelines (which are updated regularly) for treatment of mucositis. Studies on the use of chlorhexidine for mucositis have given conflicting results. Most studies have not demonstrated a prophylactic impact, although reduced colonization of candidal species has been shown. Patient-controlled analgesia has been helpful in relieving pain associated with mucositis, reducing the requirement for oral analgesics. There is no significant evidence of the effectiveness or tolerability of mixtures containing topical anesthetics (e.g., "Philadelphia mouthwash", "magic mouthwash"). The use of topical anesthetics often is recommended for pain management although there are no studies available to assess the benefit and potential for toxicity. Lidocaine use may obtund or diminish taste and the gag reflex and/or result in a burning sensation, in addition to possible cardiovascular and central nervous system (CNS) effects. Local application may be useful for painful ulcers.
Oral mucosal infections: The signs of inflammation and infection may be greatly diminished during neutropenic periods. Thus, the clinical appearance of infections may differ significantly from the normal. Close monitoring of the oral cavity allows for timely diagnosis and treatment of fungal, viral, and bacterial infections. Prophylactic nystatin is not effective for the prevention and/or treatment of fungal infections. Oral cultures and/or biopsies of all suspicious lesions should be done and prophylactic medications should be initiated until more specific therapy can be prescribed.
Oral bleeding: Oral bleeding occurs due to thrombocytopenia, disturbance of coagulation factors, and damaged vascular integrity. Treatment should consist of local approaches (e.g., pressure packs, antifibrinolytic rinses, gelatin sponges) and systemic measures (e.g., platelet transfusions, aminocaproic acid).
Dental sensitivity/pain: Tooth sensitivity could be related to decreased secretion of saliva during radiation therapy and the lowered salivary pH. Patients who are using plant alkaloid chemotherapeutic agents (e.g., vincristine, vinblastine) may present with deep, constant pain affecting the mandibular molars with greater frequency, in the absence of odontogenic pathology. The pain usually is transient and generally subsides shortly after dose reduction and or cessation of chemotherapy.
Xerostomia: Sugar-free chewing gum or candy, sucking tablets, special dentifrices for oral dryness, saliva substitutes, frequent sipping of water, alcohol-free oral rinses, and/or oral moisturizers are recommended. Placing a humidifier by bedside at night may be useful. Saliva stimulating drugs are not approved for use in children. Fluoride rinses and gels are recommended highly for caries prevention in these patients.
Trismus: Daily oral stretching exercises/physical therapy must continue during radiation treatment. Management of trismus may include prosthetic aids to reduce the severity of fibrosis, trigger-point injections, analgesics, muscle relaxants, and other pain management strategies.
Dental and Oral Care after the Cancer Therapy is Completed (Exclusive of HCT)
Objectives
The objectives of a dental/oral examination after cancer therapy ends are two-fold:
- To maintain optimal oral health
- To reinforce to the patient/parents the importance of optimal oral and dental care for life
Preventive Strategies
Oral hygiene: Patients must brush their teeth 2 to 3 times daily with a soft nylon toothbrush. Brushes should be air-dried between uses. Patients should floss daily.
Diet: Dental practitioners should encourage a non-cariogenic diet and advise patients/parents about the high cariogenic potential of dietary supplements rich in carbohydrate and oral pediatric medications rich in sucrose.
Fluoride: Preventive measures include the use of fluoridated toothpaste, fluoride supplements if indicated, neutral fluoride gels/rinses, or applications of fluoride varnish for patients at risk for caries and/or xerostomia. A brush-on technique is convenient, familiar, and simple and may increase the likelihood of patient compliance with topical fluoride therapy.
Lip care: Lanolin-based creams and ointments are more effective in moisturizing and protecting against damage than petrolatum-based products.
Education: The importance of optimal oral and dental care for life must be reinforced. It is also important to emphasize the need for regular follow-ups with a dental professional, especially for patients who are at risk for or have developed GVHD and/or xerostomia and those less than 6 years of age during treatment due to potential dental developmental problems caused by cancer therapies.
Dental Care
Periodic evaluation: The patient should be seen at least every 6 months (or in shorter intervals if issues such as chronic oral GVHD, xerostomia, or trismus are present). Patients who have experienced moderate or severe mucositis and/or chronic oral GVHD should be followed closely for malignant transformation of their oral mucosa (e.g., oral squamous cell carcinoma).
Orthodontic treatment: Orthodontic care may start or resume after completion of all therapy and after at least a 2 year disease-free survival when the risk of relapse is decreased and the patient is no longer using immunosuppressive drugs. A thorough assessment of any dental developmental disturbances caused by the cancer therapy must be performed before initiating orthodontic treatment. The following strategies should be considered when providing orthodontic care for patients with dental sequelae: (1) use appliances that minimize the risk of root resorption, (2) use lighter forces, (3) terminate treatment earlier than normal, (4) choose the simplest method for the treatment needs, and (5) do not treat the lower jaw. However, specific guidelines for orthodontic management, including optimal force and pace, remain undefined. Patients who have used or will be given bisphosphonates in the future present a challenge for orthodontic care. Although bisphosphonate inhibition of tooth movement has been reported in animals, it has not been quantified for any dose or duration of therapy in humans. Consultation with the patient's parents and physician regarding the risks and benefits of orthodontic care in this situation is recommended.
Oral surgery: Consultation with an oral surgeon and/or periodontist and the patient's physician is recommended for nonelective oral surgical and invasive periodontal procedures in patients who have used or are using bisphosphonates or those who received radiation therapy to the jaws in order to devise strategies to decrease the risk of osteonecrosis and osteoradionecrosis, respectively. Elective invasive procedures should be avoided in these patients.
Xerostomia: Sugar-free chewing gum or candy, special dentifrices for oral dryness, saliva substitutes, frequent sipping of water, alcohol-free oral rinses, and/or oral moisturizers are recommended. Placing a humidifier by bedside at night may be useful. Saliva stimulating drugs are not approved for use in children. Fluoride rinses and gels are recommended highly for caries prevention in these patients.
Trismus: Daily oral stretching exercises/physical therapy should continue after radiation therapy is finished in order to prevent or ameliorate trismus. Management of trismus may include prosthetic aids to reduce the severity of fibrosis, trigger-point injections, analgesics, muscle-relaxants, and other pain management strategies.
Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation
Specific oral complications can by correlated with phases of HCT.
Phase I: Pre-transplantation
The oral complications are related to the current systemic and oral health, oral manifestations of the underlying condition, and oral complications of recent medical therapy. Most of the principles of dental and oral care before the transplant are similar to those discussed for pediatric cancer. The 2 major differences are: 1) in HCT, the patient receives all the chemotherapy and/or total body irradiation in just a few days before the transplant, and 2) there will be prolonged immunosuppression following the transplant. Elective dentistry will need to be postponed until immunological recovery has occurred, which may take as long as 9 to 12 months after HCT, or longer if chronic GVHD or other complications are present. Therefore, all dental treatment must be completed before the patient becomes immunosuppressed.
Phase II: Conditioning/Neutropenic Phase
In this phase, which encompasses the day the patient is admitted to the hospital to begin the transplant conditioning to 30 days post-HCT, the oral complications are related to the conditioning regimen and supportive medical therapies. Mucositis, xerostomia, oral pain, oral bleeding, opportunistic infections, and taste dysfunction may be seen. The patient should be followed closely to monitor and manage the oral changes and to reinforce the importance of optimal oral care. Dental procedures usually are not allowed in this phase due to the patient's severe immunosuppression.
Phase III: Initial Engraftment to Hematopoietic Reconstitution
The intensity and severity of complications begin to decrease normally 3 to 4 weeks after transplantation. Oral fungal infections and herpes simplex virus infection are most notable. Oral GVHD can become a concern for allogeneic graft recipients. A dental/oral examination should be performed and invasive dental procedures, including dental cleanings and soft tissue curettage, should be done only if authorized by the HCT team because of the patient's continued immunosuppression. Patients should be encouraged to optimize oral hygiene and avoid a cariogenic diet. Attention to xerostomia and oral GVHD manifestations is crucial. HCT patients are particularly sensitive to intraoral thermal stimuli between 2 and 4 months post-transplant. The mechanism is not well understood, but the symptoms usually resolve spontaneously within a few months. Topical application of neutral fluoride or desensitizing toothpastes helps reduce the symptoms.
Phase IV: Immune Reconstitution/Late Post-Transplantation
After day 100 post-HCT, the oral complications predominantly are related to the chronic toxicity associated with the conditioning regimen, including salivary dysfunction, craniofacial growth abnormalities (especially in patients less than 6 years of age at the time of treatment), late viral infections, oral chronic GVHD, and oral squamous cell carcinoma. Periodic dental examinations with radiographs can be performed, but invasive dental treatment should be avoided in patients with profound impairment of immune function. Consultation with the patient's physician and parents regarding the risks and benefits of orthodontic care is recommended.
