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Reducing oral health challenges during cancer treatment

Cancer treatment can create a range of oral health challenges, making an already difficult time even harder. Although dental professionals cannot directly influence cancer management, they can help improve patients’ quality of life by reducing discomfort and supporting oral health throughout treatment. This may include recommending simple, non-invasive measures that can be incorporated into a daily oral hygiene routine. 

Every patient will experience treatment differently, so advice should be tailored to their symptoms and ability to maintain their usual routine. Practitioners should ask about dry mouth, soreness, taste changes, swallowing, eating and brushing tolerance. Simple adaptations, including a soft toothbrush, gentle toothpaste and additional protection against caries, erosion and sensitivity, may make daily care more manageable. Persistent ulceration, infection, difficulty eating or drinking, or rapidly deteriorating oral health should prompt liaison with the patient’s oncology team. 

The dental effect

There are several dental challenges linked with cancer treatment. Firstly, a positive correlation has been established between cancer and periodontal disease. In some cases, a bi-directional relationship is suspected. Periodontitis is linked with colorectal, gastric, bladder, pancreatic, oesophageal, breast, and prostate cancer[i]. Periodontal-related microbial disturbances may influence the risk of cancer development. Further investigation is required to confirm a causal relationship. Inflammatory mechanisms via periodontitis-causing pathogens like Porphromonas gingivalis (P.g.) and Fusobacterium nucleatum (F.n.) as well as immune evasion are considered the main biological links[ii].

But gingival problems are not only a concern for their potential role in increasing risk of cancer. Common treatment modalities for various types of cancer can also negatively impact oral health. Cancer treatment affects the blood vessels around the teeth. It widens the periodontal ligaments and increases the risk of impaired bone remodelling[iii].
It is estimated that 90% to 100% of patients receiving radiotherapy experience oral complications[iv]. These can be acute or chronic and remain a significant concern for individuals by drastically reducing quality of life. In particular, radiotherapy is associated with a relatively high risk of decayed, missing or filled teeth. Radiation-related caries (RRC) is also common in patients being treated for head and neck cancer. As is oral mucositis, infection, trismus, and others. RRC usually follows atypical presentation patterns. It shows as brown discolouration of non-cavitated enamel, incisal caries, and wearing of the enamel on molar cusps[v].
Reduced salivary flow is another major concern. Salivary gland hypofunction is typically reported following radiotherapy for head and neck cancer. It can also occur after chemotherapy, radioactive iodine, or total body irradiation[vi]. Therapy lowers salivary pH values creating more acidic conditions. This can lead to xerostomia and taste disturbance[vii]. Secondary risks of xerostomia include caries and tooth wear, and therefore long-term oral health issues[viii]. Dry mouth is one of the most common side effects experienced during and after cancer treatment. It negatively impacts quality of life at an already challenging time[ix].

Managing oral symptoms

This is why it is so important for dental professionals to collaborate with the medical team during and after cancer therapies. Managing oral symptoms may seem negligible in the presence of a life-threatening cancer diagnosis. But reducing a patient’s discomfort can have a profound effect on their everyday life.

It is important that a strategic yet empathetic approach is taken in such situations. Patient education and professional intervention reduces the risk of oral health issues[x]. Addressing symptoms early and arresting the development of periodontitis is also vital. It can reduce plaque index, bleeding on probing, and probing depth for patients undergoing cancer therapy[xi].

The literature recommends fluoride and chlorhexidine products for individuals undergoing cancer treatment. They prevent caries and reduce bacterial load, especially with regard to streptococcus[xii]. Antimicrobial mouthwashes and soft toothbrushes may support at-home oral hygiene routines as well[xiii].

Protect patients from side effects associated with xerostomia, including caries and tooth wear. BioMin provides an innovative and safe solution. BioMin toothpaste contains bioglass technology, which gradually dissolves when in contact with saliva to deliver a controlled and sustained release of 530 ppm fluoride, calcium, and phosphate ions over 10–12 hours. This creates an acid-resistant barrier on the teeth and occludes dentinal tubules. It strengthens the enamel and reduces the risk of dentine hypersensitivity. It’s easy to use and implement within a normal daily oral hygiene routine.

Supporting patients

Cancer treatment is associated with a range of side effects that can have a detrimental impact on an individual’s journey to recovery. Dental challenges are common. They significantly reduce quality of life and increasing the risk of long-term oral health problems. It is crucial to address symptoms as early as possible. BioMin is a proven yet gentle solution that will support patients.

The science is clear. The solution is simple.

www.biomin.co.uk 

2026 Supply Update

BioMin Toothpastes are currently unavailable across many of our usual stockists. This pause ensures we continue to meet the highest standards of quality and regulatory compliance for all our products.

We understand that this may be inconvenient, and we sincerely appreciate your patience and support during this period. We are working hard behind the scenes to resolve the situation and will share updates on our website as soon as we have a clearer timeline.

Thank you for continuing to trust BioMin® for your oral health needs.

[i] Duan, Chengwei & Wan, Weiping & Tureke, Muhetaer & Lin, Dong & Zhu, Junxi & Wu, Zeni. (2026). Periodontal Disease and Incidence of Cancers: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Cohort Studies. International dental journal. 76. 109527. 10.1016/j.identj.2026.109527.
[ii] Pigossi SC, Oliveira JA, de Medeiros MC, Soares LFF, D'Silva NJ. Demystifying the link between periodontitis and oral cancer: a systematic review integrating clinical, pre-clinical, and in vitro data. Cancer Metastasis Rev. 2025 Sep 9;44(3):67. doi: 10.1007/s10555-025-10285-z. PMID: 40924302; PMCID: PMC12420769.
[iii] Buratovich N. Literature review: how periodontal health is influenced in cancer patients. June 2020. Todays’ RDH. https://www.todaysrdh.com/literature-review-how-periodontal-health-is-influenced-in-cancer-patients/ [Accessed may 2026]
[iv] The oral & dental management of patients before, during and after cancer therapy. Faculty of Dental Surgery. February 2026. Full guidance available at www.rcseng.ac.uk/dentalfaculties/fds/publications-guidelines/clinical-guidelines [Accessed May 2026]
[v] Fonseca JM, Troconis CC, Palmier NR, Gomes-Silva W, Paglioni MD, Araújo AL, Arboleda LP, Filho AJ, González-Arriagada WA, Goes MF, Lopes MA, Brandão TB, Vargas PA, Ribeiro AC, Santos-Silva AR. The impact of head and neck radiotherapy on the dentine-enamel junction: a systematic review. Med Oral Patol Oral Cir Bucal. 2020 Jan 1;25(1):e96-e105. doi: 10.4317/medoral.23212. PMID: 31880287; PMCID: PMC6982993.
[vi] Mercadante V, Smith DK, Abdalla-Aslan R, Andabak-Rogulj A, Brennan MT, Jaguar GC, Clark H, Fregnani ER, Gueiros LA, Hovan A, Kurup S, Laheij AMGA, Lynggaard CD, Napeñas JJ, Peterson DE, Elad S, Van Leeuwen S, Vissink A, Wu J, Saunders DP, Jensen SB. A systematic review of salivary gland hypofunction and/or xerostomia induced by non-surgical cancer therapies: prevention strategies. Support Care Cancer. 2025 Jan 10;33(2):87. doi: 10.1007/s00520-024-09113-x. Erratum in: Support Care Cancer. 2025 Mar 20;33(4):305. doi: 10.1007/s00520-025-09327-7. PMID: 39792256; PMCID: PMC11723892.
[vii] Staruch M, Speth MM, Neyer P, Riesterer O, Aebersold DM, Stieb S. Radiation-associated changes in saliva composition of head and neck cancer patients: A systematic review. Radiother Oncol. 2024 Jul;196:110279. doi: 10.1016/j.radonc.2024.110279. Epub 2024 Apr 20. PMID: 38648994.
[viii] Madariaga VI, Pereira-Cenci T, Walboomers XF, Loomans BAC. Association between salivary characteristics and tooth wear: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Dent. 2023 Nov;138:104692. doi: 10.1016/j.jdent.2023.104692. Epub 2023 Sep 9. PMID: 37678744.
[ix] Hanchanale S, Adkinson L, Daniel S, Fleming M, Oxberry SG. Systematic literature review: xerostomia in advanced cancer patients. Support Care Cancer. 2015 Mar;23(3):881-8. doi: 10.1007/s00520-014-2477-8. Epub 2014 Oct 18. PMID: 25322971.
[x] Farivar, Zahra & Salehiniya, Hamid & Alizadeh, Leili. (2025). Oral Care Interventions for the Prevention and Management of Anticancer Therapy–Induced Oral Mucositis: A Systematic Review. Oral Oncology Reports. 15. 100759. 10.1016/j.oor.2025.100759.
[xi] Vozza, I., Caldarazzo, V., Polimeni, A. and Ottolenghi, L. (2015), Periodontal disease and cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Int Dent J, 65: 45-48. https://doi.org/10.1111/idj.12133
[xii] Hong CH, Napeñas JJ, Hodgson BD, Stokman MA, Mathers-Stauffer V, Elting LS, Spijkervet FK, Brennan MT; Dental Disease Section, Oral Care Study Group, Multi-national Association of Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC)/International Society of Oral Oncology (ISOO). A systematic review of dental disease in patients undergoing cancer therapy. Support Care Cancer. 2010 Aug;18(8):1007-21. doi: 10.1007/s00520-010-0873-2. Epub 2010 May 7. PMID: 20449756; PMCID: PMC2914291.
[xiii] Cuzzullin MC, Wanderley MIA, Pérez-de-Oliveira ME, Normando AGC, Araújo ALD, Ramos JC, Brandão TB, Epstein JB, Santos-Silva AR, Prado-Ribeiro AC. Oral Hygiene Protocols and Basic Oral Care in Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review. Hygiene. 2025; 5(4):45. https://doi.org/10.3390/hygiene5040045