Oral Mucositis in Pediatric Patients Submitted to Oncological Treatments: Literature Review

Oral mucositis (OM) is an inflammation of the mucosa by the action of chemotherapy drugs or ionizing radiation, this is due to the fact that these treatment methods have deleterious effects on the oral mucosa, salivary glands, teeth, bones and masticatory muscles; is one of the most common adverse effects and represents one of the worst complications caused by antineoplastic treatment in the stomatognathic system, which when in a higher stage and with intense pain, can cause other serious complications such as malnutrition, infections and even interruption of treatment. Risk factors for this condition and its course vary depending on the type of treatment, age, sex, oral health, alcohol and tobacco use, comorbidities, and others. Pediatric patients belong to the most affected group and the main symptoms involve severe pain, xerostomia, hyposalivation, dysgeusia and dysphagia, radiation caries, trismus, dental anomalies, osteoradionecrosis are other long-term effects. For these reasons, the importance of the dentist in monitoring these patients is emphasized, performing a critical analysis of a multidisciplinary approach, from diagnosis, preventive, and corrective treatment of lesions, to offering better living conditions.