There are numerous possible complications starting with, in general, for any cancer patient who is going to be receiving chemotherapy, the number one problem is infection. After a cycle of chemotherapy has started, usually within a couple of weeks the white blood cell count drops to a dangerously low number and when that happens, you can be very susceptible to infections flaring up to fevers. One of the number one causes of what they call “fevers of unknown origin” in patients going through chemotherapy is a dental infection and that can be a life-threatening situation in the middle of that kind of treatment. It is extremely important to have a thorough dental exam with a dentist that is familiar with dental oncology to make sure that any possible sources of infection are addressed before starting cancer treatment.
Dr. Ronald Koslowski, DDS FACP is a Board Certified Prosthodontist and Dental Oncologist who practices in Encino, California. Dr. Koslowski is the author of “Take Back the Smile That Cancer Stole: The Cancer Patients Guide to Better Dental Health”, which is free to cancer patients and survivors who call our office to request a copy at 818-986-9036.
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