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Radiation therapy to the head and neck areas, some types of
chemotherapy, and certain other medicines can cause dry mouth or thick
saliva. The glands that make saliva can become irritated and make less
saliva, or your saliva can become very thick and sticky. Dryness can be
mild or severe, and a dry mouth can increase the risk of cavities in
your teeth or mouth infection. If you smoke or chew tobacco or drink
alcohol, the dryness can be worse. If you have either of these side
effects, drink plenty of fluids throughout the day and eat moist foods
as much as possible. Also brush your teeth and rinse your mouth often
with the baking soda, salt, and water solution to help keep it clean
and prevent infection.
What to do
- Drink 8 to 10 cups of liquid a day, and take a water bottle
with you when you leave home. (Drinking lots of fluids helps thin
mucus.)
- Use a straw to drink liquids.
- Take small bites and chew your food well.
- Eat soft, moist foods that are cool or at room temperature.
Try blenderized fruits and vegetables, soft-cooked chicken and fish,
well-thinned cereals, popsicles, smoothies, and slushies. Avoid foods
that stick to the roof of the mouth.
- Moisten foods with broth, soup, sauces, gravy, yogurt, or
creams.
- Suck on sugarless candy or chew sugarless gum to stimulate
saliva. Lemon drops often work well.
- Keep your mouth clean. Use a soft-bristle toothbrush; rinse
your mouth before and after meals with plain water or a mild mouth
rinse (made with 1 quart water, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1 teaspoon baking
soda); and floss regularly. It is also a good idea to gently brush your
tongue too.
- Avoid commercial mouthwashes, alcoholic and acidic drinks,
and tobacco.
- Limit drinks with caffeine, such as coffee, tea, colas, and
chocolate.
- Use a cool mist humidifier to moisten room air, especially
at night. (Be sure to keep the humidifier clean to avoid spreading
bacteria or mold in the air.)
- Saliva substitutes are helpful if your salivary glands have
been removed by surgery or damaged by radiation therapy. These products
add moisture to your mouth. Nutritional supplements, such as liquid
meal replacements, may be helpful during this time.
What to eat or not eat when you have a dry
mouth*
| |
Eat |
Foods
that may cause problems |
| High protein |
Meats, poultry, and fish in sauces and gravies;
casseroles, soups, and stews |
Dry meats, poultry, and fish without sauces |
| Breads, cereals, rice,
and pasta |
Bread, rolls; cooked and cold cereals, cereal with
milk; rice soaked in gravy, sauce, broth, or milk |
Dry breads, rolls, pasta, rice, pretzels, chips, and
cereal |
| Fruits and vegetables |
Canned and fresh fruits that have a lot of moisture,
such as oranges and peaches; vegetables in sauce |
Bananas, dried fruit, vegetables, unless in a sauce or
with a high moisture content |
| Drinks, desserts, and
other foods |
Club soda, hot tea with lemon, fruit-ades, diluted
juices, sports drinks, commercial liquid nutrition supplements,
homemade milkshakes; ice cream, sherbet, pudding; butter, margarine,
salad dressing; sour cream, half-and-half |
Cookies, cake, pie, unless soaked in milk |
*Adapted from Eldridge B, and Hamilton KK, Editors, Management
of Nutrition Impact Symptoms in Cancer and Educational Handouts
Chicago, Il: American Dietetic Association; 2004.
Revised: 02/04/2008
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