Mouth Dryness and Bad Tastes-please read

gwinn

Some people try different things to alleviate these symptoms--just be cautious--am a Dental Hygienist and have seen many patients go through chemo and try these things (like antacids, candies, gum etc) which help with the taste and/or dryness temporarily, only to end up with MAJOR dental problems--like rampant tooth decay, expensive restoration, and even dentures. Try some of the following:

1)Biotene brand products-avail @ Wal-mart, walgreen and most drug stores--these are antibacterial and are specifically for dry mouth--sugar-free gum, alcohol free rinse, and oral-balance gel to coat mouth--these increase salivary flow resolving dryness and reducing bad tastes

2)mints and gum sweetened with xylitol--"CAREFREE Koolers" gum, SMINTS brand mints, or others--xylitol is actually good for your teeth, it has re-mineralization properties (similar to the benefits of Fluoride)

3)or any sugar free candy or gum

Lemon flavored candy/gum helps to stimulate salivary flow and covers tastes well.

Even vit-C lozenges and antacids can be quite detremental to teeth--who wants to deal with dental problems and expense after dealing with what we have already endured?!

Hope this helps!

marytres

Thanks for the info. Where were you when I was going through the chemo? Wish I had met you back then. Anyway, it'll help those ladies who are going through chemo now. Thanks again from all of us. Marie

geral

Hi 'gwinn'!

Thanx for the info! Even tho I finished treatments almost 2 years ago, I still suffer from dry mouth and bad taste in mouth. I think I sleep with my mouth open. I'm going to check out your recommendations.

Thanx,
Geral