Understanding the Problem

Cancer treatment can often result in problems with your mouth and throat.

These may include:

• Soreness
• Dryness
• Mouth sores
• Ulcers
• Infection

These problems may clear up without any treatment. Some may require treatment. They may mean your cancer treatment needs to be stopped or delayed.

What symptoms should I report to my physician or nurse?

• Redness, soreness
• Cracks, ulcers, blisters, white patches, bleeding
• Difficulty swallowing
• Temperature is greater than 100.5 ˚ F

The tips below may help you deal with problems that may occur during treatment.

What can I do to help prevent these problems?

• Examine your mouth daily
• Use a flashlight and look in your mouth while standing in front of a mirror
• Look for any ulcers, pimples, sores, areas of redness, white patches, or blood
• Report these changes and any mouth pain to your doctor or nurse
• Keep your mouth clean and moist
  • Brush your teeth, gums, and tongue. Using a soft toothbrush (we suggest a child’s toothbrush), gently brush your teeth, gums, and tongue. You may use your regular toothpaste, salt, or soda. Some people like to use a water pick, but if you do, use only the weakest setting
  • Gargle with salt water  after brushing or swabbing. Mix ¼ teaspoon of salt in 1 cup of warm water. Swish it around your mouth and hold it for a couple of minutes before spitting it out. Do this even if you do not have any problems, because gargling will further clean your mouth and help toughen the tissues
• If you wear dentures, remove them and brush them as described above
  • Do not wear dentures that do not fit well
  • Contact your dentist to have them adjusted or realigned
  • Do not wear your dentures at night
• Apply lubricant to your lips every two hours while you are awake or they will become dry and crack. Some suggestions for lubricants are lipstick, Chapstick®, Blistex®, and Vaseline®

What can I do to help ease the problems if they occur?

• Continue to clean your teeth and mouth as before even though your mouth is sore. If it hurts to use a soft brush, use an oral swab (cleaning stick with a soft sponge tip)
• Keep your dentures in only during meals
• Drink plenty of fluids and suck on ice chips
• Eat soft foods or moisten food in coffee, tea, milk, or soup. Use gravies to soften food
• Use a blender to liquefy foods and drink from a cup or use a straw
• Ask your doctor about prescription ointments such as viscous lidocaine or mouthwashes such as Magic Mouthwash that can be applied directly to the sore or swished around in the mouth and swallowed
• Pain medicines may be prescribed. Take an hour before eating or drinking
• If your pain is constant, take the medicine at regular times around the clock. Tylenol is available in a liquid form

What should I avoid to keep from further irritating the problem?

• Lemon and glycerine swabs
• Mouthwashes that contain more than 6 percent alcohol
• Foods that are hot, spicy, or acidic
• Smoking or chewing tobacco
• Excessive alcohol

When should I call my doctor?

• If you are having so much difficulty eating, drinking, or swallowing that you are taking in little food and water. This can result in dehydration
• If pain is not relieved, ask your physician for something stronger
• If you have a fever of 100.5˚ F

This article is intended as a resource for patients receiving their cancer care at Duke University Hospital or Duke Clinic. It is not intended to substitute for medical advice from your health care team. If your doctor’s instructions differ from the information in this article, please talk with your doctor before making any changes.