Oral health and dental hygiene are often overlooked before, during, and after cancer treatment. Chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and other drugs used in the treatment of cancer can have compounding effects on the oral mucosa and dentition, resulting in increased risk of infection, delayed wound healing, dental caries, and chronic periodontal disease. Increase your knowledge of dental oncology, an expanding area of dentistry focused on prevention, treatment, and maintenance of oral and dental health in both patients with cancer and survivors, to increase quality of life during and after cancer therapy.
