Services

Mercy Cancer Center

Mouth Care

What you need to do

  • It is important to do mouth care after meals and at bedtime. The mouth care you need to do is:
    1. Brush your teeth/dentures with a soft toothbrush at least twice a day or after each meal.
    2. Rinse with salt and soda water, which you can make by adding 1 teaspoon of salt and 1 teaspoon baking soda to 1 quart of water. This does not need to be refrigerated and can be kept for 24 hours. Do this rinse after each meal at bedtime.
    3. If you want to use a mouthwash, stay away from ones that have alcohol. We recommend the mouthwash Clear Choice.
    4. Keep lips moist to prevent cracking. You can use Chapstick, Vaseline, Blistex, or Orabase.
  • Avoid alcohol and cigarettes. They dry the lining of the mouth.
  • Good nutrition can help keep the mouth healthy and heal mouth sores. Follow the suggestions in your "Eating Hints" book. Our dietician can also give you more information.

What are some of the problems and what can you do about them?

Sore Mouth
  • Mouth sores may be red, shiny, swollen areas or white spots or patches. The mouth may be tender. Bleeding can occur.
  • A soft bland diet may be more soothing to your mouth. Avoid hot, spicy, and acidic foods. Choose soft, soothing foods such as ice cream, milkshakes, baby food, soft fruits such as bananas and applesauce, mashed potatoes, cooked cereals, soft-boiled or scrambled eggs, cottage cheese, macaroni and cheese, custards, puddings, and gelatin. You can also puree cooked foods in the blender to make them smoother and easier to eat.
  • Your doctor can prescribe medicine to help relieve discomfort from mouth sores.
Dry Mouth
  • A dry mouth can be uncomfortable or make it hard for you to eat.
  • Drink 8-10 cups of liquids a day.
  • Suck on ice chips, popsicles, or sugarless hard candy. Chew sugarless gum.
  • Dunk or soak dry foods in liquid.
  • Use extra butter, gravies, sauces, salad dressings, yogurt or mayonnaise to moisten foods.
Difficulty Swallowing
  • The throat can get sore from chemotherapy or radiation. If you have pain when you chew and swallow, let your doctor or nurse know.

When to call us - Phone Number and Hours

Notify your doctor or nurse if you have any of the following:

  • Mouth sores or mouth soreness.
  • Pain with eating or swallowing.
  • Bleeding from mouth or gums.