Oral Health: A Critical but Often Overlooked Aspect of Cancer Treatments

Many people associate oral health with bad breath or cavities, even though its impact extends to the entire body. For example, chemotherapy and radiation therapy—key treatments for cancer—often significantly affect oral health. This should be considered before starting cancer treatments, as severe side effects not only impact quality of life but can also affect treatment success.

Mira Kasslin, a well-known real estate agent and winner of the Finnish version of The Apprentice in 2010, was diagnosed with aggressive breast cancer in the spring of 2024. She had accidentally discovered a lump in her breast earlier that year, and further examinations confirmed it was cancer. Chemotherapy treatments began quickly and successfully, but they also caused many unexpected side effects, such as muscle pain and brain fog.

"What happened in my mouth during chemotherapy completely caught me off guard—it was absolutely terrible at its worst. The treatments affected my sense of taste and caused severe dry mouth, which is harmful to the gums and teeth. I had a constant unpleasant feeling in my mouth, even though I have always taken exceptional care of my teeth," Kasslin explains.

A Painful Side Effect of Cancer Treatment

Although Finland has world-class medical treatment for cancer, Kasslin believes that the importance of good oral health and thorough oral hygiene should be emphasized more, especially from the very beginning of a cancer diagnosis. This could help prevent many harmful side effects of cancer treatments. Every patient’s oral health should be assessed before treatment begins, and any oral infections should be treated in advance.

According to Kasslin, the importance of oral health during cancer treatment is often overlooked by many medical professionals, or it is not emphasized enough immediately after receiving a cancer diagnosis. This should not be the case.

"None of the oncologists or nurses who treated me gave clear instructions about the importance of oral health when I was first diagnosed. The responsibility for finding information was entirely on me."

Oral mucositis is a painful side effect of cancer treatments, occurring when chemotherapy and radiation cause an inflammatory reaction in the mucous membranes. Around 40% of chemotherapy patients develop mucositis. Among head and neck cancer patients who receive both chemotherapy and radiation, the risk rises to as high as 90%. In severe cases, mucositis can require hospitalization and even delay cancer treatment.

A Firsthand Lesson in the Importance of Oral Hygiene

Thanks to her athletic background, Kasslin understood the importance of oral health for overall well-being from a young age. However, even she did not anticipate how severely cancer treatments would affect her mouth and mucous membranes.

"My experience showed that good oral hygiene supports recovery. Fortunately, I had taken good care of my oral health beforehand, which helped my mucous membranes heal faster. The situation could have been much worse if my mouth had been in poor condition before treatment," she says.

For this reason, she urges those diagnosed with cancer to prioritize oral hygiene even before treatment begins.

Good oral hygiene includes thorough brushing twice a day and cleaning between teeth. Antibacterial Lumoral treatment offers additional protection for oral health by reducing bacteria and biofilm formation on teeth and along the gumline. This helps prevent mucosal infections and periodontitis, which could otherwise complicate cancer treatments and slow down recovery. Additionally, Lumoral's antibacterial light-activated therapy is gentle and suitable for patients with weakened immune systems due to cancer treatments.

Kasslin only discovered the antibacterial oral health enhancing method after completing her chemotherapy.

"I discovered the new method only after my chemotherapy ended, but I strongly recommend it to all cancer patients—both during and before treatment. While I’m now experiencing its antibacterial benefits, it would have been incredibly valuable throughout my treatment. When you’re first diagnosed, searching for solutions like this isn’t always top of mind. That’s why I believe doctors and nurses should emphasize the importance of oral care and introduce patients to advanced treatment options right from the start."

Kasslin believes that society should in general place greater emphasis on preventive healthcare. Antibacterial treatments play a key role in proactive oral health maintenance, contributing to overall well-being in a meaningful way.

"As a financial investment, I find Lumoral treatment quite reasonable compared to the long-term costs of root canals and dental fillings. Public healthcare offers treatment, but long waiting times can worsen problems before care is available. That’s why early prevention is the smart choice," Kasslin states.

"You don’t have to wait until your oral health deteriorates significantly—you can take proactive steps to avoid many unpleasant consequences. Considering the cost of dental visits and oral care, the initial investment in Lumoral is quite modest compared to the benefits it provides," she adds.

As a mother, Kasslin also emphasizes the importance of oral health for her children.

"Teeth are meant to last a lifetime, so it's important to take care of them from a young age. For young people, appearance is often important, and healthy, beautiful teeth play a big role in that. However, oral health is not just about aesthetics—it also reflects a person's overall well-being and self-care."

Hope for Those Diagnosed with Cancer

Although Kasslin's cancer has been successfully treated, the issue remains important to her. She hopes that healthcare professionals will pay more attention to oral health as part of cancer treatment to help patients avoid unnecessary suffering.

"I have shared my experiences with other cancer patients. They often exchange tips with each other, but it is crucial that healthcare professionals also provide guidance on oral care before treatment begins," she says.

Cancer can happen to anyone, and luck plays a role in its development. "The most important thing is to focus on what to do next. I have achieved complete remission, but follow-ups will continue for the next five years."

Kasslin reminds newly diagnosed patients that while the initial shock is normal, it doesn’t mean disaster.

"Top-tier cancer treatments are available today. In my case, the cancer was aggressive, but the treatments still worked excellently. Especially for HER2 (human epidermal growth factor receptor 2) positive breast cancer, there are highly effective drug therapies that offer better recovery chances than ever before."