Mouth care
The cells in your mouth can be affected by chemotherapy and by radiation therapy to the head and neck. Keeping your mouth as clean as possible will help you feel more comfortable and help avoid any infections from growing in your mouth.
Ways to improve the condition of the mouth:
- Brush teeth after meals and before bed with a soft toothbrush.
- Use alcohol-free mouthwashes. Alcohol dries out the mouth.
- If you have a dry mouth, sucking on hard candies can help.
How to care for mouth sores
While you are receiving chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy to the head and neck, be aware that you may develop mouth sores. The inside lining of your mouth and tongue may be red, and there may be white "plaques" (small raised areas) in the mouth and on the tongue. These plaques are signs of a fungal infection known as thrush.
Strategies to care for mouth sores:
- Avoid hot, spicy or acidic foods.
- Eat foods cold or at room temperature.
- Try foods that are soft, tender or pureed (beaten or blended).
- Cut foods into small pieces.
- Avoid dry or coarse foods.
- Use a straw for drinking liquids.
- Use an alcohol-free mouthwash, and rinse your mouth with water at least four times each day.
- Your doctor may prescribe an antifungal medicine to treat your mouth sores. If the sores are painful, your doctor may prescribe a pain medicine. Call the doctor if you cannot drink fluids, swallow saliva (spit) or if the pain medicine does not help take away the pain.