When someone is diagnosed with cancer, the focus naturally turns to the oncology team and the treatment plan. The dentist is often the last person anyone thinks to call. In the video above, Dr. Jigar Gandhi makes the case that this should change. He believes the dentist should be part of the care team from the start, so that infections in the mouth and jawbone are addressed before treatments like chemotherapy or radiation begin.

This article explains why a dental evaluation before cancer treatment matters, what the tooth meridian chart suggests about specific teeth, and how Dr. Gandhi approaches working alongside a patient's medical team.

Why the Dentist Should Be Part of the Cancer Care Team

Dr. Gandhi describes a common problem: patients begin cancer therapy while untreated dental infections are still present. Once treatment starts, it can become much harder to address those infections. Some patients find it difficult to eat, and infections in the jawbone can become more complicated to manage while the body is under the strain of treatment.

His view is that everyone involved in a patient's care should work together, with no single provider working in isolation. In his words, everyone needs to quarterback this. The goal is to make the mouth as disease free as possible first. Then, as Dr. Gandhi puts it, if the patient needs chemotherapy or radiation, they can move forward with it, knowing the sources of infection in the mouth have been addressed.

Why a Dental Exam Before Cancer Treatment Matters

The idea of seeing a dentist before cancer treatment is supported well beyond biological dentistry. Many cancer centers recommend a dental evaluation before chemotherapy, radiation to the head and neck, or certain bone strengthening medications. Common reasons include:

• Lower infection risk: chemotherapy can weaken the immune system, so an existing dental infection may become harder for the body to control.
• Fewer interruptions: treating dental problems in advance can reduce the chance that a dental emergency delays cancer treatment.
• Protecting the jawbone: radiation to the head and neck, and some medications, can affect how the jawbone heals. Addressing problem teeth beforehand may help reduce complications.
• Comfort while eating: treatment can cause mouth sores and dryness. Starting with a healthier mouth may make eating and recovery more manageable.

Every patient's situation is different, and the timing of any dental care should be coordinated with the oncology team.

What the Tooth Meridian Chart Suggests

In the video, Dr. Gandhi references the tooth meridian chart, a framework used in some areas of biological and integrative dentistry. The chart associates each tooth with other organs and areas of the body. According to this chart, the lower molars and upper premolars are associated with the breast area.

Dr. Gandhi describes seeing patients with no known genetic risk for breast cancer who had dental work and infection in those teeth. It is important to be clear that the tooth meridian chart is not an established scientific model, and research has not shown that infected teeth cause breast cancer. For Dr. Gandhi, the chart is one lens that encourages a closer look at the whole patient, not a diagnosis. You can learn more about this concept in our post on wisdom teeth and the meridian chart.

Chronic Oral Infection and Overall Health

What is better established is that chronic infection and inflammation can place an ongoing burden on the body. Infections in the jawbone, such as those around root canal teeth, old extraction sites, or jawbone cavitations, may cause few or no symptoms while the immune system continues to respond to them. Researchers continue to study how chronic oral inflammation may relate to a range of health conditions, and more work is needed to understand these connections. Read more about dental infections and the oral systemic connection.

How Dr. Gandhi Approaches Care for Patients Facing Cancer Treatment

For patients preparing for cancer treatment, Dr. Gandhi focuses on identifying and addressing sources of infection in the mouth while coordinating with the medical team. This may include:

• A detailed health history: including the diagnosis, the planned treatment, and the timeline set by the oncology team.
• 3D cone beam CT imaging: to look for infection in the teeth and jawbone that may not appear on standard X-rays.
• Prioritized treatment: focusing first on the areas most likely to cause problems during cancer therapy.
• Communication with your providers: so dental care fits safely around your cancer treatment schedule.

Dental care is meant to support cancer treatment, not replace or delay it. Always follow the guidance of your oncologist when making decisions about your care.

Bring Your Dentist Onto Your Care Team

If you or a loved one is preparing for cancer treatment and wants to address the mouth first, Dr. Jigar Gandhi can help evaluate your teeth and jawbone and coordinate with your medical team. Contact Tooth & Body to schedule a visit at our North Massapequa office at 875 N Broadway, or book a virtual consultation from anywhere in the country. To prepare, learn what to expect at a biological dentistry virtual consult. No weird stuff. Just science.

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