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Moist Foods, Dental Care Can Ease Dry Mouth

Many people with cancer suffer from dry mouth. The culprit is often chemotherapy or radiation near the head or neck.1 These cancer treatments can damage cells involved in saliva production, so there's not enough saliva.2, 3 This can affect how you taste, swallow, and speak.3, 4

What to do? Try these tips:

  • Drink eight to 10 cups of liquid each day. Carry a water bottle with you so that you can sip frequently.1

  • Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and carbonated beverages like soda.5

  • Between meals, try chewing gum or sucking on ice chips or sugarless candy.1, 5

  • Brush your teeth regularly to help keep your mouth clean. This is important because dry mouth raises your risk for cavities and gum disease. Rinsing your mouth with a mixture of baking soda, salt, and water after each meal and at bedtime also can help. To make the mixture, stir half a teaspoon of baking soda and half a teaspoon of salt in one cup of warm water.3

  • Use a cool-mist humidifier at night to moisten air in your bedroom.1

  • For severe dry mouth, ask your doctor about using a saliva substitute.3

1 “Dry Mouth or Thick Saliva.” American Cancer Society, February 4, 2008 . www.cancer.org/docroot/MBC/content/MBC_6_2X_Dry_Mouth_or_Thick_Saliva.asp Accessed 2008.

2 “Eating Hints for Cancer Patients: Before Treatment Begins.”   National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health. www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/eatinghints/page2 Accessed 2008.

3 “Management of Oral Complications During and After Chemotherapy and/or Radiation Therapy.” National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, March 13, 2008. www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/supportivecare/oralcomplications/Patient/page5#Section_35 Accessed 2008.

4 “Dry Mouth.” National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, National Institutes of Health, September 12, 2008. www.nidcr.nih.gov/OralHealth/Topics/DryMouth/DryMouth.htm Accessed 2008.

5 “Dealing With Dry Mouth.” Journal of the American Dental Association. May 2005, vol. 136, no. 5, p. 703. www.ada.org/prof/resources/pubs/jada/patient/patient_50.pdf Accessed 2008.

Date Last Reviewed: 10/3/2008
Date Last Modified: 10/3/2008
The views represented by this article are that of the author and not of Delta Dental. This article is provided for information only. Please consult with a licensed dentist to discuss the best way for you to improve or maintain your oral health.

In all cases, specific group contract provisions, benefits, limitations and exclusions take precedence over oral health recommendations given here. We recommend that you contact your dental benefits carrier to determine the specific limitations and exclusions for your group.