Laryngo- rhino- otologie
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Following radiotherapy of malignant head and neck tumours, tooth damage is observed in many cases, which is frequently referred to as "radiation caries". This is not the immediate result of radiation, but has a number of causes. The damage to the salivary glands caused by radiation leads to xerostomia, which affects the self-cleaning capacity in the mouth. ⋯ If preventive measures are not taken, all of the teeth can be completely destroyed within a short time. All efforts should be made to prevent this from happening, particularly in young patients who have undergone curative radiotherapy. This should include intensive fluoride treatment and meticulous oral hygiene.