Dental Advice for Patients Before Head and Neck Radiation Therapy Download PDF, 1.66MB, PDF Radiation therapy (RT) may be necessary to treat cancer. It uses radiation to kill cancer cells. However, this may damage healthy cells and tissues near the treatment area. RT may also result in short-term and long-term side effects such as: Mucositis (short-term)Dry mouthTooth decayPoor Wound Healing and Osteoradionecrosis Read on to find out more about these side effects and how you can keep your mouth clean during radiation therapy. [Please download the PDF file if you are unable to view the image below.]