Supportive Care: Tips for Patients Completing Cancer Therapy
Below are guidelines recommended by the American Academy of Oral Medicine for patients undergoing or have completed cancer therapy and are experiencing oral complications. Speak with your doctor or dentist before you initiate any of these therapies.
Rinses
- For oral pain, rinse with a warm, dilute solution of 1 tsp salt and 1 tsp baking soda in 1 quart of water every 2 hours. Magic Mouthwash is a prescription rinse used to treat oral discomfort and is best used before meals.
- If your mouth is dry, sip cool water frequently (every ten minutes) all day long. Allowing ice chips to melt in the mouth is comforting. Artificial saliva and mouth moisturizing gels such as Biotene, Oralube, and Orajel can be used to coat the oral cavity and keep it moist. Keep the lips lubricated with petrolatum or a lanolin- containing lip preparation. Commercial mouth rinses with alcohol bases, coffee, tea and colas with caffeine should be avoided as they tend to dry the mouth.
- If oral yeast infection develops, prescription antifungal medications such as Mycelex troches or Nystatin mouthwash can be used.
Care of Teeth and Gums
- Floss your teeth after each meal. Be careful not to cut the gums.
- Brush your teeth after each meal. Use an ultra-soft, even-bristle brush and a bland toothpaste preferably containing fluoride. Brushing with a sodium bicarbonate - water paste is also helpful (Arm & Hammer Dental Care toothpaste). If a toothbrush is too irritating, cotton-tip swabs (Q-tips) or foam sticks (Sage Ora-Swab or Toothette) can provide some mechanical cleaning.
- A pulsating water device, such as Water-Pik, Hydrofloss or Viadent irrigators, will remove loose debris.
- Topical fluoride in customized trays made by your dentist. Apply 5 minutes once a day after brushing.
- Rinse with an anti-plaque solution (Chlorhexidine, Peridex, Perioguard) two or three times a day when you cannot follow other oral hygiene procedures. These are available by prescription only.
Nutrition
Adequate nutrition and fluid intake are very important for oral and general health. Use diet supplements e.g., Carnation Instant Breakfast, Meritene, Ensure. If your mouth is sore, a blender may be used to soften food.
Maintenance
Have your oral health status reevaluated at regularly scheduled intervals by your dentist.
Important Links:
Care for Patients with Cancer Treatment
