Can cancer treatment affect cavity development?

Yes, when the treatment is radiation therapy and involves the major salivary glands. This is because the result is a lack of saliva and mouth dryness. This makes the teeth more susceptible to loss of mineral from teeth, bacterial infection and dental decay.

Cancer treatment that involves radiation to the head or neck can affect cavity development. Radiation may cause the salivary glands to produce less saliva or a different quality of saliva. A dry mouth with too little saliva increases a person's risk for dental cavities. Thickened saliva can encourage the growth of bacteria that cause cavities. The increased risk of tooth decay begins within three months of the end of radiation therapy and continues throughout the person's life.