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SUMMER 2021
ARMORNEWSLETTER ARMOR TRIAL UPDATES After a year like 2020, everyone was collectively ready for some new hope. The ARMOR team follows all University of Pennsylvania and CDC recommended infection control procedures to help keep everyone healthy. Our team is fortunate to have received the Covid-19 vaccine earlier this year, ensuring we can care for our study participants and our families safely. The trial continues to recruit new study participants and to provide our subjects with oral care during their treatment for head and neck cancer. With summer in full swing, our team at the Center for Clinical and Translational Research is taking a collective sigh of relief. We can’t help but feel grateful for all that our research team, our study participants, the friends and family that serve as their support systems, and the dedicated team of physicians, nurses, and other staff who have contributed to the ARMOR Trial over the past year, have accomplished!
Thank you for your continued support!
HEALTHY SMILE, HEALTHY YOU! Even if you aren’t receiving radiation any longer or getting daily Twilio texts asking about your home care, practicing good oral care should continue for the rest of your life. You worked hard during your treatment to maintain good oral health: keep it up! Jana sends her best to all of you, and would like to remind you to:
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Brush your teeth for two minutes, twice a day. Make sure to use a high fluoride prescription toothpaste, such as Prevident, once a day to help prevent tooth decay post radiation therapy.
Floss or use an interdental cleaner (like floss picks or soft picks) regularly; the length of floss you use should extend from roughly the tips of your fingers to your inner elbow (see photo above).
3 If you are suffering from symptoms of dry mouth, ask your dentist if a moisturizing mouth rinse is recommended for usage, with no alcohol content.