Sores in Throat and Mouth from Chemo

I am a caregiver and dental hygienist so the moment my husband was diagnosed (Stage IV - 10/04) I started him on Prevident 5000 Booster (a prescription Colgate fluoride toothpaste) and all the Biotene products (mouthwash, gum, saliva substitute "Oral Balance", and toothpaste). These products can be used by anyone at anytime because they are great preventitive treatments to keep your mouth healthy before any problem can even start.

When you are going through all the aspects of chemo and/or radiation - the last thing you need to deal with is a gum or tooth problem. These products help to replace the naturally occuring antibacterial enzymes in your saliva that you have lost and then you can fight off oral irritations, canker sores, ulcers and gum infections. Even if you are not undergoing any treatment, many of the medications you might be taking can also cause dry mouth(xerostomia) - so these products can also help prevent the effects of dry mouth (poor healing,sensitivity gums and teeth, dryness, itching, burning.

Dry mouth and radiation can also cause your teeth to decay very easily. The Prevident 5000 Booster toothpaste helps to remineralize your teeth and make them more resistant to decay.

My husband has undergone 7 1/2 months of Avastin, 5 FU, leucovorin, and irinotecan and that was followed 4 months later with 15 months and counting of weekly erbitux and irinotecan. He has had side effects to deal with, but thankfully he has never had any mouth problems. I trully believe in both products....I recommend all of the biotene products and Prevident 5000 for all of my patients with a dry mouth and anyone undergoing any cancer treatment.

If your mouth is healthy it makes everything else you must endure a little bit easier. If you have any other "mouth" questions- I will be happy to help you.

Good luck - I hope this helps!
Dash

Hi: I have a very simple solution that really works for me, popsicle right after the infusion. This is regular protocol at my hospital, and the only time I did have sores was when I forgot to eat my popsicle. I also rinse with salt and water daily. Monica

branh07 said:

I just wanted to thank everyone for all the helpful info. We went back to doc today and they gave her two bags of fluids. He wanted to put her in the hospital, but she wouldn't have it. Then they suggested having home health come over the weekend to give her fluids, but she also refused that. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers that she will get better. Again thanks for everything.
Brandi

It looks like you already have competent advise but I will pass on what worked for me. My dentist gave me Peridex to use at night- it tends to stain your teeth if you use it a lot - however it comes off. And He also warned me that I would not like the taste, however I did not notice. One thing that seemed to work well for the mouth sores was Ora5 - from McHenry Labs in Texas. You dab the sores with this stuff it lasts all day, and you can forget them. Hope this helps.

Greg-K

I found an all natural mouth foam that really helped heal mouth sores. They are using it often with head and neck radiation patients http://www.cuprident.com/oncol.php I highly recommend it.. I know that at U of L's cancer treatment center they have been able to prevent some patients from having ot have feeding tubes because of it.

Good luck!