Mouth and Throat Changes
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"My mouth felt sore. I let my nurse know right away. He told me about medicine that can help. He also showed me how to make a mouth rinse to use each day." |
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- Changes in taste or smell
- Dry mouth
- Pain when you eat hot or cold foods
- Trouble eating or swallowing
- White spots in your mouth
- Sores on your lips or in
your mouth
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- Brush your teeth and tongue after each meal and before you go to bed. Use a very soft toothbrush.
- Use toothpaste or gel that has fluoride and baking soda in it.
- Rinse your mouth with the
baking soda, salt, and water mix
in the box below.
Every 3 hours during the day,
mix together:
- 1 cup warm water,
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda, and
- 1/8 teaspoon salt.
Take small sips and swish them
around in your mouth.
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- Use a lip balm, such as ChapStick®.
- Sip water or suck ice chips.
- Try drinking through a straw.
- Choose foods that are soft, wet, and easy to swallow.
When your mouth is sore, try cooked cereals, mashed potatoes, and scrambled eggs.
- Soften food with gravy, sauce, or other liquids.
- Let food cool down if hot food hurts
your mouth.
- Don't drink orange, lemon, tomato, or grapefruit juice.
- Don't drink alcohol, such as beer or wine.
- Don't eat crunchy or spicy foods.
- Don't have foods or drinks that have sugar in them, such as candy and soft drinks.
- Don't smoke cigarettes or use other tobacco products.
Ask about medicine for pain if your mouth or throat is sore.
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- What problems should I call you about?
- What foods and drinks should I have?
- Can we make the baking soda, salt, and water mix together?
- If brushing hurts, what are other ways that
I can clean my mouth?
- What medicines can help?
Visit a dentist at least 2 weeks before you start treatment. Get a copy of the report from your dentist and give it to your doctor or nurse.
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