Any problems with your teeth during chemo
Comments
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Biotene mouthwash
I will also be doing 4 rounds of TC, and I'm prone to canker sores anyway, so my oncologist recommended Biotene mouthwash, which you just buy at the drugstore. It's intended for daily use, has a very mild mint taste, and is easy to use, so I've already started using it, and plan to just keep using it throughout chemo, rather than waiting to see if I get any sores. It was about $9 for the bottle, but it's a big bottle -- it'll last a while.
I know others have used baking soda and/or salt water rinses -- I'm sure they'll weigh in as well. Me -- I'm one of those people who feel better with expensive bottles with pictures and fancy words on them. :-)
Traci0 -
I didn't have TC
but I had AC and got"dry mouth"(not enough saliva)from that. Yes Biotene is good and will help with dry mouth. Also,does your sister have time to get her teeth cleaned before starting chemo-if so,that would be a good thing also.0 -
teethoutdoorgirl said:I didn't have TC
but I had AC and got"dry mouth"(not enough saliva)from that. Yes Biotene is good and will help with dry mouth. Also,does your sister have time to get her teeth cleaned before starting chemo-if so,that would be a good thing also.
Hi, Yes I had all of the above, my teeth where super sensitive and I couldn't take hot, or cold. For the mouth sores..(Including the blue/white tongue) I was using bicarb, it was revolting and I don't think it worked at all.........Hope this helps. Jxxxx0 -
I didn't have many problems
I didn't have many problems until I had taxotere, then all h*ll broke loose LOL. Anyway, I found this article and think it will help you prevent and deal with anything that comes up.
We have ice chips to suck on with our chemo to help prevent this very thing so hopefully you can do that too. If there is anyway you can keep your feet and hands cold during this that would help prevent neuropathy. Our clinic is going to be supplying "ice gloves" for our patients. I've never seen them nor heard of them before so I don't know too much about it.
All the best to you:
jan
Mouth care during chemotherapy
Some people having chemotherapy treatment find that their mouth gets very sore. This information gives some ideas about how you can look after your mouth before and during your chemotherapy treatment.
How chemotherapy affects the mouth
How to keep your mouth healthy
How your dentist can help you
How your doctor can help you
Loss of appetite
References
How chemotherapy affects the mouth
Chemotherapy drugs interfere with the way that the cells of the body divide and reproduce themselves. Both healthy cells and cancer cells are affected by chemotherapy drugs. Healthy cells can generally repair the damage caused by the chemotherapy, but cancer cells cannot and so they eventually die. When the healthy cells in the lining of the mouth are affected, this can lead to a number of side effects.
Soreness and ulceration of the mouth
Chemotherapy can cause the lining of the mouth to become very sore, and small ulcers may form. Soreness and ulceration of the lining of the mouth is known as mucositis and can be very painful.
Mouth infections
You are more likely to get an infection of the lining of your mouth if it becomes very sore and ulcerated, or if the number of white blood cells in your blood is reduced. Chemotherapy can temporarily reduce the number of white blood cells circulating in the blood. White blood cells play an important part in fighting infection, so for a while after having chemotherapy your resistance to infection may be reduced.
The most common mouth infection is a fungal infection called thrush (also known as candidiasis). Thrush usually appears as white patches, or a white coating, over the lining of the mouth and tongue. It is treated with anti-fungal medicines.
Dry mouth
Chemotherapy sometimes leads to a dry mouth.
Bleeding gums
Occasionally some bleeding or ulceration of the gums may develop.
Damage to the cells lining the mouth is usually temporary and most side effects will disappear once the treatment has finished and the number of white blood cells has returned to normal. The likelihood of developing a sore mouth varies from treatment to treatment and your doctors and nurses will be able to tell you how likely this will be with your particular type of chemotherapy.
back to top
How to keep your mouth healthy
You can do a lot to help to keep your mouth healthy. It is important to inspect your mouth daily for any signs of redness, swelling, sores, white patches or bleeding. Your nurse at the hospital can show you how to do this.
Helpful hints
Clean your teeth or dentures gently every morning and evening, as well as after each meal.
Use a soft-bristled or child's toothbrush. Toothbrush bristles can also be softened in hot water. An electric toothbrush can clean your teeth very effectively.
Replace your toothbrush frequently to prevent problems with infection.
If your toothpaste stings, or brushing your teeth makes you feel sick, try using a mouthwash (such as one teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda dissolved in a mug of warm water).
If you have been sick, rinse out your mouth before cleaning your teeth as the acid in your vomit may damage your teeth.
If your doctor prescribes a mouthwash for you, use it regularly as prescribed to prevent your mouth becoming sore.
Sometimes, using a mouthwash over a long period of time may cause your teeth to discolour slightly. Let your doctor know if this happens to you. When you stop using the mouthwash, your teeth will return to their normal colour.
You can gently use dental tape or floss daily, but check with your doctor that the level of platelets in your blood is high enough. (A low platelet count can cause bleeding in the mouth even with very gentle flossing). You should not use a toothpick at all.
Keep your lips moist by using Vaseline®, or a flavoured lip balm if you prefer.
Avoid neat spirits, tobacco, hot spices, garlic, onion, vinegar and salty food. These may irritate your mouth.
Keep your mouth and food moist. Add gravies and sauces to your food to help swallowing.
Some crunchy foods may damage your gums and should be avoided when your blood cell counts are low.
Try to drink at least one and a half litres (three pints) of fluid a day – water, tea, weak coffee, and soft drinks such as apple juice.
Avoid acidic drinks, such as orange and grapefruit juice. Warm herbal teas may be more soothing.
Let your doctor know if you have mouth ulcers, as you may need medicines to help heal the ulcers and clear any infection.
back to top
How your dentist can help you
It is important to see a dentist a couple of weeks before you start your chemotherapy. Dentists can advise on any problems and can help you get your teeth and gums into the healthiest possible condition before your treatment begins.
If your mouth becomes dry during your chemotherapy treatment there will be less saliva to protect the teeth. Because of this your dentist may recommend that you use flouride toothpaste or use a flouride mouthwash during your chemotherapy to help protect your teeth.
If you need to have dental work done during your chemotherapy treatment, it is important to discuss this with your cancer specialist. There will be times during your chemotherapy when you will be at more risk of bleeding and infection and the timing of any dental work needs to be planned very carefully.
It can often be a good idea to see a dentist once you have finished your chemotherapy treatment. Your teeth are more prone to decay during treatment and it can be helpful to get a dental check-up.
back to top
How your doctor can help you
Many hospitals have developed their own mouth care guidelines. You may have an oral (mouth) assessment at your hospital:
to check your usual mouth care routine
to identify the care needed to keep your mouth healthy.
An oral assessment guide can be useful for all patients who have mouth problems or who are at high risk of developing them. An oral assessment is helpful in deciding which treatment should be prescribed if your mouth becomes sore. Do not worry if you are not offered this at your hospital. It is important to tell your doctor and nurses that you have a sore mouth so that they can assess your mouth and recommend what needs to be done.
Mouthwashes Inflammation and ulceration can often be eased by the regular use of a mouthwash, two or three times a day. Mouthwashes containing chlorhexidine (Corsodyl®, Chlorohex® or Eludril®) can help to prevent infection. Benzydamine mouthwash (Difflam®) can be helpful as a local anaesthetic and can ease the discomfort caused by inflammation of the mouth lining.
Protective gels Using gels to form a protective coating can sometimes help to ease the pain and discomfort of mouth ulcers. The gels can either be applied directly to the sore areas in the mouth (Orabase®), or mixed with water and used as a mouthwash (Gelclair®).
Aspirin Sometimes soluble aspirin can be used as a mouthwash to relieve pain in the lining of the mouth. Some people having chemotherapy are advised not to swallow the aspirin, but it is usually fine to use as a mouthwash. It is helpful to check with your doctor before using aspirin.
Painkillers There are many pain-relieving medicines. If it is hard for you to swallow pills, you may be prescribed painkillers as a liquid.
It is important to take your painkillers as they are prescribed for you, even if this means getting up during the night to take them. This will help to keep a constant level of painkiller in your blood, and make it more effective for you. Stronger painkillers, such as morphine or codeine, can make you constipated and you will usually be prescribed a laxative to take while you are taking them. Everyone is different and you may have to adjust the amount of laxatives you take to manage your constipation.
Occasionally, if the pain is severe and drinking is difficult, you may have to be admitted to hospital to be given fluids and painkillers by drip into a vein. This is more likely to occur in people who are having high-dose chemotherapy. Taking painkillers for mouth pain may be necessary for a while, but the sores will heal as the number of white blood cells in your blood increases and your immunity improves, and you will then be able to stop taking the painkillers.
Oral thrush If you have oral thrush (white patches in your mouth) this can be treated with anti-fungal drugs. There are different types of anti-fungal drugs. Sometimes they are given to prevent thrush in people having chemotherapy. Oral thrush is sometimes treated with a liquid applied inside the mouth (nystatin). But if you're having chemotherapy, taking tablets that are absorbed by the body, such as fluconazole, works better.
Antacid medicines Sucralfate is a drug that can help control mucositis during chemotherapy, by creating a protective layer over the sores to prevent the acid in saliva from coming into contact with them. The sucralfate does not numb your mouth but can provide comfort by coating the sores. It can cause side effects such as constipation, diarrhoea, a dry mouth and dizziness.
Some medicines, such as Maalox® or Asilone®, can neutralise the acid in the mouth and may help your mouth to feel less sore. Your doctor can prescribe these for you.
Mucilages Some hospitals prescribe mucilages to help to ease soreness. Mucilages are unmedicated jelly-like substances (lubricants).
Ice chips With some chemotherapy drugs, sucking ice chips (or an ice-lolly) for 5–10 minutes before the drug is given and for half an hour afterwards can also help to prevent further mucositis and ulceration. Some people find that the cold can be very uncomfortable, but ask your nurses and doctors whether this might be helpful with the drugs you are going to have.
Generally, any soreness of your mouth will begin to improve when your white cell count returns to normal.
back to top
Loss of appetite
Many people have a loss of appetite and a loss of taste due to chemotherapy. If you notice these problems it may be helpful to discuss them with a dietitian at the hospital. They should be able to help you with any eating difficulties and suggest how to make food more palatable.0 -
One step aheadoutdoorgirl said:I didn't have TC
but I had AC and got"dry mouth"(not enough saliva)from that. Yes Biotene is good and will help with dry mouth. Also,does your sister have time to get her teeth cleaned before starting chemo-if so,that would be a good thing also.
I did make her get her teeth cleaned about a month ago. I think I may have seen it some where when doing research. So I told her to get them cleaned and checked for what was coming. I'm going to stop at the drug store and pick up the Biotene. Thanks guys0 -
WOWphoenixrising said:I didn't have many problems
I didn't have many problems until I had taxotere, then all h*ll broke loose LOL. Anyway, I found this article and think it will help you prevent and deal with anything that comes up.
We have ice chips to suck on with our chemo to help prevent this very thing so hopefully you can do that too. If there is anyway you can keep your feet and hands cold during this that would help prevent neuropathy. Our clinic is going to be supplying "ice gloves" for our patients. I've never seen them nor heard of them before so I don't know too much about it.
All the best to you:
jan
Mouth care during chemotherapy
Some people having chemotherapy treatment find that their mouth gets very sore. This information gives some ideas about how you can look after your mouth before and during your chemotherapy treatment.
How chemotherapy affects the mouth
How to keep your mouth healthy
How your dentist can help you
How your doctor can help you
Loss of appetite
References
How chemotherapy affects the mouth
Chemotherapy drugs interfere with the way that the cells of the body divide and reproduce themselves. Both healthy cells and cancer cells are affected by chemotherapy drugs. Healthy cells can generally repair the damage caused by the chemotherapy, but cancer cells cannot and so they eventually die. When the healthy cells in the lining of the mouth are affected, this can lead to a number of side effects.
Soreness and ulceration of the mouth
Chemotherapy can cause the lining of the mouth to become very sore, and small ulcers may form. Soreness and ulceration of the lining of the mouth is known as mucositis and can be very painful.
Mouth infections
You are more likely to get an infection of the lining of your mouth if it becomes very sore and ulcerated, or if the number of white blood cells in your blood is reduced. Chemotherapy can temporarily reduce the number of white blood cells circulating in the blood. White blood cells play an important part in fighting infection, so for a while after having chemotherapy your resistance to infection may be reduced.
The most common mouth infection is a fungal infection called thrush (also known as candidiasis). Thrush usually appears as white patches, or a white coating, over the lining of the mouth and tongue. It is treated with anti-fungal medicines.
Dry mouth
Chemotherapy sometimes leads to a dry mouth.
Bleeding gums
Occasionally some bleeding or ulceration of the gums may develop.
Damage to the cells lining the mouth is usually temporary and most side effects will disappear once the treatment has finished and the number of white blood cells has returned to normal. The likelihood of developing a sore mouth varies from treatment to treatment and your doctors and nurses will be able to tell you how likely this will be with your particular type of chemotherapy.
back to top
How to keep your mouth healthy
You can do a lot to help to keep your mouth healthy. It is important to inspect your mouth daily for any signs of redness, swelling, sores, white patches or bleeding. Your nurse at the hospital can show you how to do this.
Helpful hints
Clean your teeth or dentures gently every morning and evening, as well as after each meal.
Use a soft-bristled or child's toothbrush. Toothbrush bristles can also be softened in hot water. An electric toothbrush can clean your teeth very effectively.
Replace your toothbrush frequently to prevent problems with infection.
If your toothpaste stings, or brushing your teeth makes you feel sick, try using a mouthwash (such as one teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda dissolved in a mug of warm water).
If you have been sick, rinse out your mouth before cleaning your teeth as the acid in your vomit may damage your teeth.
If your doctor prescribes a mouthwash for you, use it regularly as prescribed to prevent your mouth becoming sore.
Sometimes, using a mouthwash over a long period of time may cause your teeth to discolour slightly. Let your doctor know if this happens to you. When you stop using the mouthwash, your teeth will return to their normal colour.
You can gently use dental tape or floss daily, but check with your doctor that the level of platelets in your blood is high enough. (A low platelet count can cause bleeding in the mouth even with very gentle flossing). You should not use a toothpick at all.
Keep your lips moist by using Vaseline®, or a flavoured lip balm if you prefer.
Avoid neat spirits, tobacco, hot spices, garlic, onion, vinegar and salty food. These may irritate your mouth.
Keep your mouth and food moist. Add gravies and sauces to your food to help swallowing.
Some crunchy foods may damage your gums and should be avoided when your blood cell counts are low.
Try to drink at least one and a half litres (three pints) of fluid a day – water, tea, weak coffee, and soft drinks such as apple juice.
Avoid acidic drinks, such as orange and grapefruit juice. Warm herbal teas may be more soothing.
Let your doctor know if you have mouth ulcers, as you may need medicines to help heal the ulcers and clear any infection.
back to top
How your dentist can help you
It is important to see a dentist a couple of weeks before you start your chemotherapy. Dentists can advise on any problems and can help you get your teeth and gums into the healthiest possible condition before your treatment begins.
If your mouth becomes dry during your chemotherapy treatment there will be less saliva to protect the teeth. Because of this your dentist may recommend that you use flouride toothpaste or use a flouride mouthwash during your chemotherapy to help protect your teeth.
If you need to have dental work done during your chemotherapy treatment, it is important to discuss this with your cancer specialist. There will be times during your chemotherapy when you will be at more risk of bleeding and infection and the timing of any dental work needs to be planned very carefully.
It can often be a good idea to see a dentist once you have finished your chemotherapy treatment. Your teeth are more prone to decay during treatment and it can be helpful to get a dental check-up.
back to top
How your doctor can help you
Many hospitals have developed their own mouth care guidelines. You may have an oral (mouth) assessment at your hospital:
to check your usual mouth care routine
to identify the care needed to keep your mouth healthy.
An oral assessment guide can be useful for all patients who have mouth problems or who are at high risk of developing them. An oral assessment is helpful in deciding which treatment should be prescribed if your mouth becomes sore. Do not worry if you are not offered this at your hospital. It is important to tell your doctor and nurses that you have a sore mouth so that they can assess your mouth and recommend what needs to be done.
Mouthwashes Inflammation and ulceration can often be eased by the regular use of a mouthwash, two or three times a day. Mouthwashes containing chlorhexidine (Corsodyl®, Chlorohex® or Eludril®) can help to prevent infection. Benzydamine mouthwash (Difflam®) can be helpful as a local anaesthetic and can ease the discomfort caused by inflammation of the mouth lining.
Protective gels Using gels to form a protective coating can sometimes help to ease the pain and discomfort of mouth ulcers. The gels can either be applied directly to the sore areas in the mouth (Orabase®), or mixed with water and used as a mouthwash (Gelclair®).
Aspirin Sometimes soluble aspirin can be used as a mouthwash to relieve pain in the lining of the mouth. Some people having chemotherapy are advised not to swallow the aspirin, but it is usually fine to use as a mouthwash. It is helpful to check with your doctor before using aspirin.
Painkillers There are many pain-relieving medicines. If it is hard for you to swallow pills, you may be prescribed painkillers as a liquid.
It is important to take your painkillers as they are prescribed for you, even if this means getting up during the night to take them. This will help to keep a constant level of painkiller in your blood, and make it more effective for you. Stronger painkillers, such as morphine or codeine, can make you constipated and you will usually be prescribed a laxative to take while you are taking them. Everyone is different and you may have to adjust the amount of laxatives you take to manage your constipation.
Occasionally, if the pain is severe and drinking is difficult, you may have to be admitted to hospital to be given fluids and painkillers by drip into a vein. This is more likely to occur in people who are having high-dose chemotherapy. Taking painkillers for mouth pain may be necessary for a while, but the sores will heal as the number of white blood cells in your blood increases and your immunity improves, and you will then be able to stop taking the painkillers.
Oral thrush If you have oral thrush (white patches in your mouth) this can be treated with anti-fungal drugs. There are different types of anti-fungal drugs. Sometimes they are given to prevent thrush in people having chemotherapy. Oral thrush is sometimes treated with a liquid applied inside the mouth (nystatin). But if you're having chemotherapy, taking tablets that are absorbed by the body, such as fluconazole, works better.
Antacid medicines Sucralfate is a drug that can help control mucositis during chemotherapy, by creating a protective layer over the sores to prevent the acid in saliva from coming into contact with them. The sucralfate does not numb your mouth but can provide comfort by coating the sores. It can cause side effects such as constipation, diarrhoea, a dry mouth and dizziness.
Some medicines, such as Maalox® or Asilone®, can neutralise the acid in the mouth and may help your mouth to feel less sore. Your doctor can prescribe these for you.
Mucilages Some hospitals prescribe mucilages to help to ease soreness. Mucilages are unmedicated jelly-like substances (lubricants).
Ice chips With some chemotherapy drugs, sucking ice chips (or an ice-lolly) for 5–10 minutes before the drug is given and for half an hour afterwards can also help to prevent further mucositis and ulceration. Some people find that the cold can be very uncomfortable, but ask your nurses and doctors whether this might be helpful with the drugs you are going to have.
Generally, any soreness of your mouth will begin to improve when your white cell count returns to normal.
back to top
Loss of appetite
Many people have a loss of appetite and a loss of taste due to chemotherapy. If you notice these problems it may be helpful to discuss them with a dietitian at the hospital. They should be able to help you with any eating difficulties and suggest how to make food more palatable.
Thanks so much. This is so helpful!!0 -
Wow,phoenixrising said:I didn't have many problems
I didn't have many problems until I had taxotere, then all h*ll broke loose LOL. Anyway, I found this article and think it will help you prevent and deal with anything that comes up.
We have ice chips to suck on with our chemo to help prevent this very thing so hopefully you can do that too. If there is anyway you can keep your feet and hands cold during this that would help prevent neuropathy. Our clinic is going to be supplying "ice gloves" for our patients. I've never seen them nor heard of them before so I don't know too much about it.
All the best to you:
jan
Mouth care during chemotherapy
Some people having chemotherapy treatment find that their mouth gets very sore. This information gives some ideas about how you can look after your mouth before and during your chemotherapy treatment.
How chemotherapy affects the mouth
How to keep your mouth healthy
How your dentist can help you
How your doctor can help you
Loss of appetite
References
How chemotherapy affects the mouth
Chemotherapy drugs interfere with the way that the cells of the body divide and reproduce themselves. Both healthy cells and cancer cells are affected by chemotherapy drugs. Healthy cells can generally repair the damage caused by the chemotherapy, but cancer cells cannot and so they eventually die. When the healthy cells in the lining of the mouth are affected, this can lead to a number of side effects.
Soreness and ulceration of the mouth
Chemotherapy can cause the lining of the mouth to become very sore, and small ulcers may form. Soreness and ulceration of the lining of the mouth is known as mucositis and can be very painful.
Mouth infections
You are more likely to get an infection of the lining of your mouth if it becomes very sore and ulcerated, or if the number of white blood cells in your blood is reduced. Chemotherapy can temporarily reduce the number of white blood cells circulating in the blood. White blood cells play an important part in fighting infection, so for a while after having chemotherapy your resistance to infection may be reduced.
The most common mouth infection is a fungal infection called thrush (also known as candidiasis). Thrush usually appears as white patches, or a white coating, over the lining of the mouth and tongue. It is treated with anti-fungal medicines.
Dry mouth
Chemotherapy sometimes leads to a dry mouth.
Bleeding gums
Occasionally some bleeding or ulceration of the gums may develop.
Damage to the cells lining the mouth is usually temporary and most side effects will disappear once the treatment has finished and the number of white blood cells has returned to normal. The likelihood of developing a sore mouth varies from treatment to treatment and your doctors and nurses will be able to tell you how likely this will be with your particular type of chemotherapy.
back to top
How to keep your mouth healthy
You can do a lot to help to keep your mouth healthy. It is important to inspect your mouth daily for any signs of redness, swelling, sores, white patches or bleeding. Your nurse at the hospital can show you how to do this.
Helpful hints
Clean your teeth or dentures gently every morning and evening, as well as after each meal.
Use a soft-bristled or child's toothbrush. Toothbrush bristles can also be softened in hot water. An electric toothbrush can clean your teeth very effectively.
Replace your toothbrush frequently to prevent problems with infection.
If your toothpaste stings, or brushing your teeth makes you feel sick, try using a mouthwash (such as one teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda dissolved in a mug of warm water).
If you have been sick, rinse out your mouth before cleaning your teeth as the acid in your vomit may damage your teeth.
If your doctor prescribes a mouthwash for you, use it regularly as prescribed to prevent your mouth becoming sore.
Sometimes, using a mouthwash over a long period of time may cause your teeth to discolour slightly. Let your doctor know if this happens to you. When you stop using the mouthwash, your teeth will return to their normal colour.
You can gently use dental tape or floss daily, but check with your doctor that the level of platelets in your blood is high enough. (A low platelet count can cause bleeding in the mouth even with very gentle flossing). You should not use a toothpick at all.
Keep your lips moist by using Vaseline®, or a flavoured lip balm if you prefer.
Avoid neat spirits, tobacco, hot spices, garlic, onion, vinegar and salty food. These may irritate your mouth.
Keep your mouth and food moist. Add gravies and sauces to your food to help swallowing.
Some crunchy foods may damage your gums and should be avoided when your blood cell counts are low.
Try to drink at least one and a half litres (three pints) of fluid a day – water, tea, weak coffee, and soft drinks such as apple juice.
Avoid acidic drinks, such as orange and grapefruit juice. Warm herbal teas may be more soothing.
Let your doctor know if you have mouth ulcers, as you may need medicines to help heal the ulcers and clear any infection.
back to top
How your dentist can help you
It is important to see a dentist a couple of weeks before you start your chemotherapy. Dentists can advise on any problems and can help you get your teeth and gums into the healthiest possible condition before your treatment begins.
If your mouth becomes dry during your chemotherapy treatment there will be less saliva to protect the teeth. Because of this your dentist may recommend that you use flouride toothpaste or use a flouride mouthwash during your chemotherapy to help protect your teeth.
If you need to have dental work done during your chemotherapy treatment, it is important to discuss this with your cancer specialist. There will be times during your chemotherapy when you will be at more risk of bleeding and infection and the timing of any dental work needs to be planned very carefully.
It can often be a good idea to see a dentist once you have finished your chemotherapy treatment. Your teeth are more prone to decay during treatment and it can be helpful to get a dental check-up.
back to top
How your doctor can help you
Many hospitals have developed their own mouth care guidelines. You may have an oral (mouth) assessment at your hospital:
to check your usual mouth care routine
to identify the care needed to keep your mouth healthy.
An oral assessment guide can be useful for all patients who have mouth problems or who are at high risk of developing them. An oral assessment is helpful in deciding which treatment should be prescribed if your mouth becomes sore. Do not worry if you are not offered this at your hospital. It is important to tell your doctor and nurses that you have a sore mouth so that they can assess your mouth and recommend what needs to be done.
Mouthwashes Inflammation and ulceration can often be eased by the regular use of a mouthwash, two or three times a day. Mouthwashes containing chlorhexidine (Corsodyl®, Chlorohex® or Eludril®) can help to prevent infection. Benzydamine mouthwash (Difflam®) can be helpful as a local anaesthetic and can ease the discomfort caused by inflammation of the mouth lining.
Protective gels Using gels to form a protective coating can sometimes help to ease the pain and discomfort of mouth ulcers. The gels can either be applied directly to the sore areas in the mouth (Orabase®), or mixed with water and used as a mouthwash (Gelclair®).
Aspirin Sometimes soluble aspirin can be used as a mouthwash to relieve pain in the lining of the mouth. Some people having chemotherapy are advised not to swallow the aspirin, but it is usually fine to use as a mouthwash. It is helpful to check with your doctor before using aspirin.
Painkillers There are many pain-relieving medicines. If it is hard for you to swallow pills, you may be prescribed painkillers as a liquid.
It is important to take your painkillers as they are prescribed for you, even if this means getting up during the night to take them. This will help to keep a constant level of painkiller in your blood, and make it more effective for you. Stronger painkillers, such as morphine or codeine, can make you constipated and you will usually be prescribed a laxative to take while you are taking them. Everyone is different and you may have to adjust the amount of laxatives you take to manage your constipation.
Occasionally, if the pain is severe and drinking is difficult, you may have to be admitted to hospital to be given fluids and painkillers by drip into a vein. This is more likely to occur in people who are having high-dose chemotherapy. Taking painkillers for mouth pain may be necessary for a while, but the sores will heal as the number of white blood cells in your blood increases and your immunity improves, and you will then be able to stop taking the painkillers.
Oral thrush If you have oral thrush (white patches in your mouth) this can be treated with anti-fungal drugs. There are different types of anti-fungal drugs. Sometimes they are given to prevent thrush in people having chemotherapy. Oral thrush is sometimes treated with a liquid applied inside the mouth (nystatin). But if you're having chemotherapy, taking tablets that are absorbed by the body, such as fluconazole, works better.
Antacid medicines Sucralfate is a drug that can help control mucositis during chemotherapy, by creating a protective layer over the sores to prevent the acid in saliva from coming into contact with them. The sucralfate does not numb your mouth but can provide comfort by coating the sores. It can cause side effects such as constipation, diarrhoea, a dry mouth and dizziness.
Some medicines, such as Maalox® or Asilone®, can neutralise the acid in the mouth and may help your mouth to feel less sore. Your doctor can prescribe these for you.
Mucilages Some hospitals prescribe mucilages to help to ease soreness. Mucilages are unmedicated jelly-like substances (lubricants).
Ice chips With some chemotherapy drugs, sucking ice chips (or an ice-lolly) for 5–10 minutes before the drug is given and for half an hour afterwards can also help to prevent further mucositis and ulceration. Some people find that the cold can be very uncomfortable, but ask your nurses and doctors whether this might be helpful with the drugs you are going to have.
Generally, any soreness of your mouth will begin to improve when your white cell count returns to normal.
back to top
Loss of appetite
Many people have a loss of appetite and a loss of taste due to chemotherapy. If you notice these problems it may be helpful to discuss them with a dietitian at the hospital. They should be able to help you with any eating difficulties and suggest how to make food more palatable.
that is awesome,Jan! Thanks for taking the time to type all of that down! I'm going to try to make a copy of that.0 -
You're welcome,rodripa9 said:One step ahead
I did make her get her teeth cleaned about a month ago. I think I may have seen it some where when doing research. So I told her to get them cleaned and checked for what was coming. I'm going to stop at the drug store and pick up the Biotene. Thanks guys
that's part of the reason we all are here! I think that's great,you helping your sister out at this time-very invaluable and a self-less act on your part!0 -
I had my teeth cleanedrodripa9 said:WOW
Thanks so much. This is so helpful!!
I had my teeth cleaned before I started Chemo. I have the best dentist, they sent me so much goodies to try and keep the sores away and so far so good. Boitene mouthwash is one thing and they sent me a tooth paste called Fluoridex which I use in the morning and then a special order toothpaste called Prevident 5000 made by colgate. This one I use at night only before bed and you don't rinse it out of your mouth. Lot's of gum and so far so good.0 -
Yeah IKat11 said:I had my teeth cleaned
I had my teeth cleaned before I started Chemo. I have the best dentist, they sent me so much goodies to try and keep the sores away and so far so good. Boitene mouthwash is one thing and they sent me a tooth paste called Fluoridex which I use in the morning and then a special order toothpaste called Prevident 5000 made by colgate. This one I use at night only before bed and you don't rinse it out of your mouth. Lot's of gum and so far so good.
know,Katt. My dental hygienist was the same way when I told her that I was diagnosed and was going to have chemo. She gave me all sorts of samples(that's how I found out about Biotene). Oasis mouthwash is supposed to be good for that also and Crest(I think it's Crest)Prohealth.Anything without alcohol in it!
It's too bad that she is working at a different clinic,she really catered to me being a cancer survivor.
Never heard of the stuff that you don't rinse out and use at night-I'll have to make a note of that,thanks!0 -
BioteneTraciInLA said:Biotene mouthwash
I will also be doing 4 rounds of TC, and I'm prone to canker sores anyway, so my oncologist recommended Biotene mouthwash, which you just buy at the drugstore. It's intended for daily use, has a very mild mint taste, and is easy to use, so I've already started using it, and plan to just keep using it throughout chemo, rather than waiting to see if I get any sores. It was about $9 for the bottle, but it's a big bottle -- it'll last a while.
I know others have used baking soda and/or salt water rinses -- I'm sure they'll weigh in as well. Me -- I'm one of those people who feel better with expensive bottles with pictures and fancy words on them. :-)
Traci
I used Biotene from day one also and had no problems, hated the tasted though
tjhay0 -
I Concuroutdoorgirl said:Wow,
that is awesome,Jan! Thanks for taking the time to type all of that down! I'm going to try to make a copy of that.
Great information. Thanks for taking the time to type all of that. I had issues with my mouth. Yes, another fungus. I hate that word. I am on roids for that. I brush with Crest Pro Health. I use a mouth rinse religioulsy called Peroxadyl. It is made by Colgate and is sold at Walmart. I do not eat anything spicy or anything with acid like tomato sauces. I also stay away from red meat but that is due to a digestion thing. I do eat plenty of gravy. Ain't weird, you have to get cancer before you are given the OK to eat something fattening like gravy.
Good luck.
P0 -
Nystatin is what we giveaztec45 said:I Concur
Great information. Thanks for taking the time to type all of that. I had issues with my mouth. Yes, another fungus. I hate that word. I am on roids for that. I brush with Crest Pro Health. I use a mouth rinse religioulsy called Peroxadyl. It is made by Colgate and is sold at Walmart. I do not eat anything spicy or anything with acid like tomato sauces. I also stay away from red meat but that is due to a digestion thing. I do eat plenty of gravy. Ain't weird, you have to get cancer before you are given the OK to eat something fattening like gravy.
Good luck.
P
Nystatin is what we give people here for thrush (oral fungus). It's antifungal and works really fast but it's by prescription. I'm not aware of the use of steroids for fungus but if it works then why not.0 -
As much as I'd like to takeaztec45 said:I Concur
Great information. Thanks for taking the time to type all of that. I had issues with my mouth. Yes, another fungus. I hate that word. I am on roids for that. I brush with Crest Pro Health. I use a mouth rinse religioulsy called Peroxadyl. It is made by Colgate and is sold at Walmart. I do not eat anything spicy or anything with acid like tomato sauces. I also stay away from red meat but that is due to a digestion thing. I do eat plenty of gravy. Ain't weird, you have to get cancer before you are given the OK to eat something fattening like gravy.
Good luck.
P
As much as I'd like to take the credit for typing all that out, I really just copied and pasted.........hope you're not too disappointed
0 -
Still thankfulphoenixrising said:As much as I'd like to take
As much as I'd like to take the credit for typing all that out, I really just copied and pasted.........hope you're not too disappointed
for you finding the info and bringing it to us.0 -
I am just haveing problemsoutdoorgirl said:Still thankful
for you finding the info and bringing it to us.
I am just haveing problems with my teeth now after and year and a half. No inssurnace and hard to get help.0 -
I Appreciate the Infophoenixrising said:As much as I'd like to take
As much as I'd like to take the credit for typing all that out, I really just copied and pasted.........hope you're not too disappointed
Not too disappointed. Thanks for the info. You are right...whatever works. I think the roids help my fungal/yeasty issues.
P0 -
m_azingracemaya00i said:I am just haveing problems
I am just haveing problems with my teeth now after and year and a half. No inssurnace and hard to get help.
deleted by m_azingrace0 -
mouth/teeth sensitivity during chemoaztec45 said:I Appreciate the Info
Not too disappointed. Thanks for the info. You are right...whatever works. I think the roids help my fungal/yeasty issues.
P
I remember using 1/2 and 1/2 water and hydrogen peroxide to rinse my mouth at one point. I felt like all my teeth were loose. Fortunately I had all cleaning done prior to ACT chemo. Also got the flu vaccine prior to chemo knowing my immune system would be down.0
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