TIPS FOR PATIENTS WITH DRY OR SORE MOUTH

• Drink fluids frequently. Carry fluids with you whenever possible.
• Try artificial saliva.
• Keeps lips moistened.
• Rinse mouth after each meal and at bedtime with a saline solution ( one teaspoon salt, one teaspoon baking soda in one quart of warm water). Since saliva helps move bacteria out of teeth, these rinses should help keep teeth clean.
• Avoid mouth washes as the alcohol they contain will further dry the mouth.
• If some saliva is present, suck on sugarless, sour hard candy or chew sugarless, sour gum. These may help stimulate the salivary glands.
• Humidify the air with water near a heater or use a vaporizer.
• Use fluoride gel regularly, as directed by your physician.
• If dentures become loose, please let your oncologist or nurse know.
• Avoid tobacco, alcoholic and carbonated beverages, as these are irritants to the mouth.
• Avoid foods that are very hot in temperature.
• Avoid heavily spiced foods such as foods containing chili powder, pepper, Tabasco sauce, horseradish or curry powder.
• Avoid citrus fruits such as oranges, lemons, limes, grapefruit, pineapples, and tomatoes.
• Avoid hard, coarse foods such as hard bread, crackers, raw vegetables, potato chips, and pretzels.
• Lukewarm tea is soothing to the membranes of the mouth and promotes healing.
• Drink and eat cool substances such as popsicles, ice cubes, frozen yogurt or sherbet.
• Your physician or nurse may prescribe a mouth cocktail that is helpful in providing comfort prior to meals.
• To thin thick saliva:
• Mix 2 Tbsp. meat tenderizer in 16oz. water, swish small amount in mouth and spit out, repeat as helpful
• Take slices of papaya, chew and swish in mouth