Before treatment for head and neck cancer starts

Dental care

You will usually be advised to have a complete dental check-up and any necessary dental work done before your treatment begins. Your cancer doctor may recommend that you see a dentist with experience in treating people who have head and neck cancers, rather than your own dentist.

The dentist or hygienist will give you advice on how to care for your teeth and gums, and check that your teeth are healthy. This is very important because cancer treatment may make your mouth more sensitive| and prone to infection, particularly if you have radiotherapy|.

Smoking

If you have a head and neck cancer, your treatment is more likely to be successful if you don’t smoke. Continuing to smoke can increase the side effects of treatment. It can also increase the risk of a second cancer growing in the same area, or in other parts of the body, such as the lung, or of the original cancer coming back. Smoking can be a difficult habit to break, especially at times of stress, but if you’re able to stop smoking it will help your recovery. There are organisations and self-help groups| that can help you. Your GP can also give advice and provide nicotine replacement therapies such as nicotine patches, gums and inhalers on prescription.

Alcohol

Avoiding alcohol, particularly spirits, will also help make your treatment more effective and reduce the risk of uncomfortable side effects.