Mouth Care for Patients Receiving Chemotherapy or Radiation Therapy to the Head and Neck Area


Daily mouth care:
• Brush your teeth gently with toothettes or a very soft brush four times a day (after meals and at bedtime).
• Rinse your mouth well with a rinse made of equal parts of water and hydrogen peroxide.
• Examine your mouth daily for redness, bleeding, or white patches.
• Check with your doctor before having any dental work done.
Call your doctor for the following:

• White patches in mouth
• Sores or blisters in mouth
• Bleeding from gums
• Temperature over 100.5 degrees F. orally
  
Special care for sore mouth, dry mouth, or difficulty swallowing:

• Avoid highly acidic foods and juices such as tomato juice or orange juice.
• Use spices sparingly.
• Avoid alcoholic beverages and mouthwashes that contain alcohol.
• Put foods in blender to make them easier to swallow.
• Eat soft moist foods.
• Eat frequent, small meals.
• Leave dentures out, avoid tooth picking and dental flossing.
• Try artificial saliva.
• Use cold foods instead of hot foods.