warm salted water vs mouthwashes

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Robyn64
Robyn64 Member Posts: 124
in Head and Neck Cancer #1

Hi,

I have a query about the best way possible to keep my mouth clean and possibly avoid sores if I can. I have noticed through reading posts that many of you use mouthwashes ?

Here in Australia certain mouthwashes, the most common brand was linked to mouth cancers, being listerine, but apparently any alcohol based one. One of my aunts used it religiously every single day for many many years, a couple of years ago she had cancer at the side of her tongue.

In Australia up north the aborigines try to get hold of alcohol any way they can. They get hold of this listerine, freeze it, which freezes everything but the alcohol content, they drink that. There is a very very high rate of mouth cancers amongst the aborigines who do this.

My question is... I do NOT at all want to use any store bought mouthwashes. I do know that salt is a natural antiseptic. Gargling warm salted water, would this help avoid any sores or just help in my mouth care ?

Has anybody just used warm salted water to care for their mouths besides toothbrushing ?

Im trying to find the best way possible to try and avoid as much pain and sores as I can when my my treatment starts on the 23rd.

Thank you,

Robyn

Comments

  • KTeacher
    KTeacher Member Posts: 1,103
    #2
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    Sounds fine

    Salt water should be fine.  I cannot handle the mint flavor in anything.  I use a mouthwash Closys, the mint flavor comes in a little container to add, I throw it away.  I use Alkalol for my sinus rinse and some use it for mouthwash, 50/50 Alkalol/water.  Some have used Mugard to keep the sores at bay.  Phrannie, help, what was the name of the stuff that you used, added to water.  Good to start getting things ready before treatment, hopefully you will not need to use it too much.

  • Robyn64
    Robyn64 Member Posts: 124
    #3
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    KTeacher said:

    Sounds fine

    Salt water should be fine.  I cannot handle the mint flavor in anything.  I use a mouthwash Closys, the mint flavor comes in a little container to add, I throw it away.  I use Alkalol for my sinus rinse and some use it for mouthwash, 50/50 Alkalol/water.  Some have used Mugard to keep the sores at bay.  Phrannie, help, what was the name of the stuff that you used, added to water.  Good to start getting things ready before treatment, hopefully you will not need to use it too much.

    thank you

    Thank you Kteacher, I hope so too xx

    Robyn

  • KB56
    KB56 Member Posts: 318 Member
    #4
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    Mouth care

    Robyn, what my doctor recommended was warm salt water and then immediately  follow with cool/ cold baking soda (I kept some made up in the fridge as I only needed a few mouthfuls at a time).  it really seemed to help,especially towards the end when I really needed it,and you can use it a often as you want/need. 

     

    i really like your husbands comment in that when your looking ahead to what's in front of you, focus on the end and not the in between.  He seems like somebody I'd like to hang out with and have some fun with.    i know you feel good having him in your corner.  My wife ( my caregiver) is a nurse and she was truly my rock.   Not sure what I would have done without her. 

     

    Good luck to you as you start treatment.  I was worried about my teeth as well so I hope the dentist went well ( I think it was today).   It's all about the end point and all that stuff in the middle is just noise to get to that endpoint.  

     

    Stay Strong,

    Keith

  • Robyn64
    Robyn64 Member Posts: 124
    #5
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    KB56 said:

    Mouth care

    Robyn, what my doctor recommended was warm salt water and then immediately  follow with cool/ cold baking soda (I kept some made up in the fridge as I only needed a few mouthfuls at a time).  it really seemed to help,especially towards the end when I really needed it,and you can use it a often as you want/need. 

     

    i really like your husbands comment in that when your looking ahead to what's in front of you, focus on the end and not the in between.  He seems like somebody I'd like to hang out with and have some fun with.    i know you feel good having him in your corner.  My wife ( my caregiver) is a nurse and she was truly my rock.   Not sure what I would have done without her. 

     

    Good luck to you as you start treatment.  I was worried about my teeth as well so I hope the dentist went well ( I think it was today).   It's all about the end point and all that stuff in the middle is just noise to get to that endpoint.  

     

    Stay Strong,

    Keith

    thank you

    Thanks Keith, dentist is tomorrow. Im really not looking forward to it at all. I am sure at least 2 will come out and I have a real fear of dentists. If they have to come out, they have to do it according to the time frame they have so they can start my treatment on time. I have to really be brave for this dentist and just cry my eyes out afterwards. 

    I saw the chemo dr yesteday, I like what he had to tell me compared to radiation dr. He reminded me of a tall santa with snow white hair and very rosy cheeks. So far I like the drs and team I have met. 

    I will definitely do the baking soda too. I will start this week with the salted water and baking soda and get into a routine now and I hope it keeps any sores at bay.

    Thank you ,

    Robyn

  • phrannie51
    phrannie51 Member Posts: 4,716
    #6
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    The most common in home mouthwash

    you'll see for HNC is salt and soda rinse.  Tblspoon salt, tblspoon soda.....shake it up in a quart bottle and swish to your hearts content.  It keeps your mouth clean, is very soothing on sores, and can (for some folks) give them the illusion of having spit for a while. 

    If you're worried about getting mouth sores from the rads (or chemo)......ask your Onc about Mugard.  I used it (and a number of others on here) when it was still in the trial stages.  It worked great for almost all of us.  It is a preventative, not a cure.....so must be used from the beginning of rads.  I heard about a new product on another board (there's a Throat Cancer site on Facebook).....it's called Neutracaine.....it's for mouth sores.  People are having very good luck with it.

    Never be nervous to ask your Drs. about products that other people have used or are using......they are pretty busy folks, and can't keep up on every new product that hits the market.

    p 

  • ratface
    ratface Member Posts: 1,337 Member
    #7
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    Iodine

    works pretty well also. Fill yourself a bottle of water and add a teaspon of iodine. Shake and swish away.

  • CivilMatt
    CivilMatt Member Posts: 4,722 Member
    #8
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    mouth wash

    Robyn,

    Salt and soda mixture is the most common here.  Most alcohol based mouthwash would be terribly strong and not recommended.  Now, magic mouth wash that is a different story and one of my best friends.

    Matt

  • KB56
    KB56 Member Posts: 318 Member
    #9
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    Robyn64 said:

    thank you

    Thanks Keith, dentist is tomorrow. Im really not looking forward to it at all. I am sure at least 2 will come out and I have a real fear of dentists. If they have to come out, they have to do it according to the time frame they have so they can start my treatment on time. I have to really be brave for this dentist and just cry my eyes out afterwards. 

    I saw the chemo dr yesteday, I like what he had to tell me compared to radiation dr. He reminded me of a tall santa with snow white hair and very rosy cheeks. So far I like the drs and team I have met. 

    I will definitely do the baking soda too. I will start this week with the salted water and baking soda and get into a routine now and I hope it keeps any sores at bay.

    Thank you ,

    Robyn

    Dentist

    Robyn, I would really spend some time talking to the dentist before letting them pull my teeth.   I'm not trying to say it might be needed but I would ask a lot of questions before doing it.   Understand the pros and cons of not doing it and if you do the fluoride tray and all the other good stuff, why does that tooth/teeth have to go?  Maybe the long term complications make it necessary in your specific situation but definitely worth understanding your options.  

    I'm glad the chemo Dr was positive and encouraging! Always a good sign for sure.  Especially nice when he looks like Santa Claus for sure:)

    All the best,

    Keith

  • Robyn64
    Robyn64 Member Posts: 124
    #10
    Options
    KB56 said:

    Dentist

    Robyn, I would really spend some time talking to the dentist before letting them pull my teeth.   I'm not trying to say it might be needed but I would ask a lot of questions before doing it.   Understand the pros and cons of not doing it and if you do the fluoride tray and all the other good stuff, why does that tooth/teeth have to go?  Maybe the long term complications make it necessary in your specific situation but definitely worth understanding your options.  

    I'm glad the chemo Dr was positive and encouraging! Always a good sign for sure.  Especially nice when he looks like Santa Claus for sure:)

    All the best,

    Keith

    hello

    Hi Keith,

     

    I was not told anything about any fluoride tray. I have a feeling that it might only be something in the USA. I will ask tomorrow though. I was told any infected teeth have to come out because radiation stores in infected teeth and attack bone. They also said any teeth that have deep fillings. I dont think I have any infected teeth but I do have a couple way at back that have very deep fillings. I think they ae concerned with those. But I will definitely be asking questions befoe they decide to pull any.

    Thanks,

     

    Robyn

  • Robyn64
    Robyn64 Member Posts: 124
    #11
    Options
    phrannie51 said:

    The most common in home mouthwash

    you'll see for HNC is salt and soda rinse.  Tblspoon salt, tblspoon soda.....shake it up in a quart bottle and swish to your hearts content.  It keeps your mouth clean, is very soothing on sores, and can (for some folks) give them the illusion of having spit for a while. 

    If you're worried about getting mouth sores from the rads (or chemo)......ask your Onc about Mugard.  I used it (and a number of others on here) when it was still in the trial stages.  It worked great for almost all of us.  It is a preventative, not a cure.....so must be used from the beginning of rads.  I heard about a new product on another board (there's a Throat Cancer site on Facebook).....it's called Neutracaine.....it's for mouth sores.  People are having very good luck with it.

    Never be nervous to ask your Drs. about products that other people have used or are using......they are pretty busy folks, and can't keep up on every new product that hits the market.

    p 

    thank you

    Thank you Phannie, I will give this mix a go. Very much appreciated.

     

    Thanks again,

    Robyn

  • Robyn64
    Robyn64 Member Posts: 124
    #12
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    ratface said:

    Iodine

    works pretty well also. Fill yourself a bottle of water and add a teaspon of iodine. Shake and swish away.

    thank you

    Thanks for this. I will also give this a go and see which woks best. I never would have thought of that.

    Thank you,

    Robyn

  • Robyn64
    Robyn64 Member Posts: 124
    #13
    Options
    Bi carb soda and Baking soda

    Hello again,

     

    Just referring to the soda and salt mix for mouth care. Being an aussie, here we have bi carbonate of Soda , which is also found in toothpaste as a cleanser for teeth. I have bi carb soda but I dont think we have Baking soda in Oz, only bi carb soda. Im assuming these 2 products are the same ?

     

    Robyn

  • Robyn64
    Robyn64 Member Posts: 124
    #14
    Options
    Robyn64 said:

    Bi carb soda and Baking soda

    Hello again,

     

    Just referring to the soda and salt mix for mouth care. Being an aussie, here we have bi carbonate of Soda , which is also found in toothpaste as a cleanser for teeth. I have bi carb soda but I dont think we have Baking soda in Oz, only bi carb soda. Im assuming these 2 products are the same ?

     

    Robyn

    yes it is

    Ahhh have googled it and yes it is the exact same product.

  • Bunnymom
    Bunnymom Member Posts: 212 Member
    #15
    Options
    Robyn64 said:

    hello

    Hi Keith,

     

    I was not told anything about any fluoride tray. I have a feeling that it might only be something in the USA. I will ask tomorrow though. I was told any infected teeth have to come out because radiation stores in infected teeth and attack bone. They also said any teeth that have deep fillings. I dont think I have any infected teeth but I do have a couple way at back that have very deep fillings. I think they ae concerned with those. But I will definitely be asking questions befoe they decide to pull any.

    Thanks,

     

    Robyn

    Dentist

    Robyn,

    please be sure to ask the dentist about making you trays for fluoride. The trays look like trays that are made for whitening your teeth. They make an impression of your teeth and the lab uses the impressions to make the trays. 

    Keith and I both use DentiGel 1.1% fluoride gel in the trays. You put the gel in the trays and keep them in your moith for 10 minutes. Then, spit out any flouride (don't swallow it) but do not rinse your mouth for 30 minutes. I'm doing this at night and just go to bed without rinsing. The flouride will help to strengthen your teeth. 

    I was pretty upset about the teeth issue but feel much better now that I have the trays and know about the flouride. 

    You have to be an advocate for yourself. Insist that the dentist make these trays or at least gives you the flouride gel prescription so you can brush your teeth with it. After radiation, you will do this for life. 

    BunnyMom

  • Bunnymom
    Bunnymom Member Posts: 212 Member
    #16
    Options
    Robyn64 said:

    Bi carb soda and Baking soda

    Hello again,

     

    Just referring to the soda and salt mix for mouth care. Being an aussie, here we have bi carbonate of Soda , which is also found in toothpaste as a cleanser for teeth. I have bi carb soda but I dont think we have Baking soda in Oz, only bi carb soda. Im assuming these 2 products are the same ?

     

    Robyn

    Baking sodas

    Baking soda and bicarbonate is the same thing

  • Bunnymom
    Bunnymom Member Posts: 212 Member
    #17
    Options
    phrannie51 said:

    The most common in home mouthwash

    you'll see for HNC is salt and soda rinse.  Tblspoon salt, tblspoon soda.....shake it up in a quart bottle and swish to your hearts content.  It keeps your mouth clean, is very soothing on sores, and can (for some folks) give them the illusion of having spit for a while. 

    If you're worried about getting mouth sores from the rads (or chemo)......ask your Onc about Mugard.  I used it (and a number of others on here) when it was still in the trial stages.  It worked great for almost all of us.  It is a preventative, not a cure.....so must be used from the beginning of rads.  I heard about a new product on another board (there's a Throat Cancer site on Facebook).....it's called Neutracaine.....it's for mouth sores.  People are having very good luck with it.

    Never be nervous to ask your Drs. about products that other people have used or are using......they are pretty busy folks, and can't keep up on every new product that hits the market.

    p 

    Mugard

    Phrannie 

    ive asked my doctor to prescribe MuGard. 

    BM

     

  • Guzzle
    Guzzle Member Posts: 710
    #18
    Options
    Bunnymom said:

    Baking sodas

    Baking soda and bicarbonate is the same thing

    Mouthwash

    Hi, the Dr. Here prescribe little red soluble tablets which dentists use. There are a few hundred in a pill jar. They have no taste. Sol Aspirin is also prescribed. Salt/baking soda recomended. Regards, G.

  • hwt
    hwt Member Posts: 2,328 Member
    #19
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    Guzzle said:

    Mouthwash

    Hi, the Dr. Here prescribe little red soluble tablets which dentists use. There are a few hundred in a pill jar. They have no taste. Sol Aspirin is also prescribed. Salt/baking soda recomended. Regards, G.

    Robyn

    My sores were on my lips during tx. with Cispaltin & rads. I was unable to do the salt/baking soda because it burned too much. Took me 2 years to be able to use a standard toothpaste. At first, I could only tolerate a polishing paste. I just did erbitux/taxol and tolerated the salt and baking soda with no problems.  Hope all goes well for you.

  • Guzzle
    Guzzle Member Posts: 710
    #20
    Options
    hwt said:

    Robyn

    My sores were on my lips during tx. with Cispaltin & rads. I was unable to do the salt/baking soda because it burned too much. Took me 2 years to be able to use a standard toothpaste. At first, I could only tolerate a polishing paste. I just did erbitux/taxol and tolerated the salt and baking soda with no problems.  Hope all goes well for you.

    TELL ODONT

    Is the name of the pills I mentioned.F.

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