Mouth and Throat Changes
![]() |
|
To order free copies of this fact sheet, please call 1-800-422-6237 (1-800-4-CANCER). |
Tell your doctor or nurse if you have:
- Changes in taste or smell
- Dry mouth
- Pain when you eat hot or cold foods
Call your doctor or nurse if you have:
|
![]() | |
![]() | ![]() |
Take these steps to feel better.
Clean your mouth with care.
- 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:
Take small sips and swish them around in your mouth. |
Keep your mouth and lips moist.
- Use a lip balm, such as ChapStick®.
- Sip water or suck ice chips.
- Try drinking through a straw.
Eat soft, bland foods.
- 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 have things that can make your mouth hurt.
- 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. |
Questions to ask your doctor or nurse:
- 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. |
Free Services to Learn More | ||||||
National Cancer Institute Cancer Information Service
|