Booklet - The Oral Health Care Before and After Radiotherapy

Foreword Radiotherapy is an effective treatment for head and neck tumours. Nevertheless, the normal tissues lying along the irradiation pathway will inevitably be affected. This gives rise to a decrease in saliva secretion, change in taste sensation, difficulty in opening the mouth, inflammation of the oral mucosa (including the tongue and gums), or even destruction of some parts of the jawbones. After the radiotherapy, there may be all kinds of discomfort, but as long as you have adequate psychological preparation and knowledge on how to take care of yourself, the discomfort can then be minimized.