Tips For Care

Rinse often with ¼ teaspoon of baking soda and ¼ teaspoon salt dissolved in 1 cup of water.

Sip and drink tap water (because it contains fluoride) water frequently. Use sugar free gum (e.g. xylitol) and candies. Coconut and olive oil make good oral lubricants. Saliva substitutes are available too as recommended by a dental professional.

Call your dental care team immediately if you see redness, swelling, bleeding or a white film in your mouth.

Your dental care team can recommend products to ease eating problems when they know the cause. Ask about medications, topical gels and mouth rinses to help manage the pain. Changes to your diet including soft, mild flavoured, non-acidic foods can be helpful.

If your gums bleed or hurt, seek immediate dental help… Stop flossing the bleeding areas until you know more.

Rinse your mouth after vomiting with ¼ teaspoon of baking soda in 1 cup warm water. Your dental care team can guide you on other ways to protect you teeth.

Brush your teeth after meals and before bedtime. Your dental team might have you apply high strength fluoride gel. Xylitol products can help reduce the number of acid causing bacteria. Use a fluoride toothpaste and drink fluoridated tap water.

Gently stretch your jaw by opening and closing your mouth (20 times) as wide as you can, ensuring you experience no pain. Repeat this exercise frequently throughout the day.

Use a lip lubricant as often as needed to protect your lips and keep them from drying out.
Where ever possible use all natural products (devoid of any chemicals e.g. preservatives, colours, flavours and scents). Avoid petroleum-based lubricants (like petroleum jelly) as there is mounting question as to their safety.

select foods that are cold or room temperature, add seasoning (herbs, spices, salt) to food, marinade meats. metallic tastes can be reduced by using non-metal tableware and sip water throughout your meal. Remember that taste often recovers once cancer treatment is completed.

Book an appointment to see your dentist as soon as possible… ideally before you begin treatment, but it’s never too late. Your dental team will create a care plan on how to move forward and help preserve your oral health. Follow your dental teams recommendations and keep up with regular visits… the dental team is here to support you and identify any potential issues early.

Brush gently and often. Use an extra soft toothbrush or an alternative style toothbrush. Brush after each meal and before bed. Soften your toothbrush bristles in warm water before use. Use a small amount of fluoridated toothpaste and spit but don’t rinse.

Floss gently and carefully each day. Avoid flossing sore, bleeding gums but keep flossing all other areas… where pain and bleeding persists, see your dental team.

Keep the moisture up. Rinse with water frequently. Suck ice chips. Avoid alcohol and alcohol based mouth rinses. Use saliva substitutes and xylitol products (your dental team can help with this).

Eat and drink carefully. Choose soft foods that are easy to chew. Blend food where possible and choose softer foods (smoothies are a great choice). Avoid alcohol, sugary, spicy, sour, citrus, rough, coarse or dry foods. Eat and drink warm foods… neither too hot, nor too cold.

Stop using tobacco products as they increase the risk of oral side effects.