Oral Health

Protecting oral health is an all too common theme with cancer patients. From sores or lesions to altered taste buds, chemo and radiotherapy are not very kind to the mouth. Many experience ulcers in the mouth, and struggle with inflammation of the inside of the mouth called mucositis.

Five to ten days after starting cancer treatments you may start experiencing mouth pain. Different types of chemotherapy and biological therapy drugs can make your mouth sore, due to the side effect of changing the consistency of the inside of your mouth. This may interfere with eating, drinking, talking, chewing, swallowing, sleeping, and more, and could last for several days.

Keeping the mouth healthy and salivated is important during your cancer treatments. It is recommended to rinse your mouth daily with water while undergoing treatments, and avoid mouthwash containing alcohol.

Topical agents can be used to treat discomfort and pain, and good nutritional habits can help the healing processing. Blended or semi-liquid food has also been known to help.

If you are undergoing treatment you should attempt avoiding extremely hot or cold beverages, citric acid juices such as those containing orange, lemon, tomatoes, and alcoholic drinks and tobacco products. In addition, spicy or hot and rough textured food can induce pain when mouth sores or inflammation is present.

Some cancer patients may even get inflammation of the esophagus, a condition called esophagitis. Whatever you may be experiencing when it comes to your oral health and cancer, know that we are here for you. Supporting your oral health could even include the use of bamboo utensils to keep the metallic taste away.

Giving you access to the right products to protect your oral health while on your cancer journey is important to all of us at Cancer Horizons. Your cancer family has your back when it comes to helping you keep your mouth functioning at its best.

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