October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and at Fridman Family Dental Care we are thinking of every patient, family member, and friend whose life has been touched by breast cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, about 1 in 8 women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime. Most conversations focus on screening and treatment, and for good reason. Less often discussed is how cancer treatment can affect your mouth, and how a little planning with your dental team can make the journey more comfortable.
How Breast Cancer Treatment Can Affect Your Mouth
Not everyone has oral side effects, and many are manageable. Still, it helps to know what may happen so you can catch problems early. Depending on your treatment plan, you may notice:
- Mouth sores (oral mucositis): Chemotherapy can irritate the lining of the mouth, causing painful sores that make eating and brushing harder.
- Dry mouth: Some treatments and supportive medicines reduce saliva, which raises the risk of cavities and gum problems. Our guide to dry mouth and relief can help.
- Taste changes and sensitivity: Foods may taste metallic or bland, and your gums and teeth may feel more tender.
- Higher infection risk: When blood counts dip during chemotherapy, a small dental problem can become a bigger one quickly.
- Jaw bone concerns: Bone-strengthening medicines sometimes prescribed for people with breast cancer, such as bisphosphonates or denosumab, are linked to a rare problem called medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw, which is more likely after dental extractions or when gum disease is present.
Why a Dental Visit Before Treatment Helps
Many cancer centers recommend a dental exam before treatment begins, ideally with your oncology team’s guidance. The goal is to treat infections, repair or remove problem teeth, and teach you a gentle home-care routine before your immune system or bone health is affected. When extractions or other invasive work are needed, they are best done with enough time to heal before chemotherapy or bone-modifying medicine starts, and your dentist and oncologist should agree on timing. Your care plan always comes first, and we will never delay it for dental work.
Caring for Your Mouth During Treatment
- Brush gently with a soft toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste, even when your mouth is tender.
- Rinse often with a bland solution of water, a pinch of salt, and baking soda. Avoid alcohol-based mouthwashes, which can sting and dry the mouth.
- Sip water throughout the day and ask us about saliva substitutes.
- Choose soft, non-spicy, non-acidic foods when sores flare.
- Call your oncology team and us right away for mouth sores that do not improve, fever, swelling, a toothache, or exposed bone.
- Check in with us after treatment. Follow-up care every few months helps catch late effects early.
For more on how medicines can change your mouth, read our post on medications that affect your mouth, and on the warning signs of gum disease.
Help Fund the Research That Saves Lives
Better treatments, earlier detection, and fewer side effects all come from research. The Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) funds scientists around the world working toward prevention, better care, and cures. Fridman Family Dental Care is proud to be making a $4,000 donation to BCRF in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. If you are able, we warmly encourage you to join us with a donation to BCRF in honor of someone you love. Every gift, large or small, helps move research forward. We are sharing this link to encourage giving and are not otherwise affiliated with BCRF.
How We Can Help
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed, we are here to help you prepare. We can complete a gentle exam, treat urgent problems, coordinate with your oncology team, and build a mouth-care plan that fits your treatment. Our preventative care and family dentistry teams treat every patient with patience and respect.
When to See Us
See us as soon as possible after a diagnosis, before treatment starts if you can, and any time you notice mouth pain, sores, dryness, or swelling during or after treatment. Call Fridman Family Dental Care in Valencia, CA at (661) 254-3700 or request an appointment online.
What the Evidence Shows
The research below supports pre-treatment dental evaluation and mouth care during cancer therapy. The evidence for universal dental clearance is still limited, and protocols vary between cancer centers, so your care team will tailor recommendations to you.
- Yong CW, Robinson A, Hong C. Dental Evaluation Prior to Cancer Therapy. Frontiers in Oral Health. 2022;3:876941.
- Elad S, Cheng KKF, Lalla RV, et al. MASCC/ISOO clinical practice guidelines for the management of mucositis secondary to cancer therapy. Cancer. 2020;126(19):4423-4431.
- Ruggiero SL, Dodson TB, Aghaloo T, et al. American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons’ position paper on medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw: 2022 update. Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. 2022;80(5):920-943.
- American Cancer Society. Key Statistics for Breast Cancer. cancer.org (accessed October 2026).
This article is for educational purposes and is not a substitute for personal dental or medical advice. Talk with your oncology team and your dentist about your situation.
Dr. Nardys Fridman, DDS
Fridman Family Dental Care, Valencia, CA
