Some chemotherapy drugs can damage healthy cells in the mouth and cause mouth sores, ulcers (oral mucositis) or infections.
Chemotherapy treatment may also reduce the amount of saliva (spit) in your mouth, make your saliva thick or sticky, or make your mouth dry. This is called xerostomia or dry mouth. If you notice any sores, ulcers or thickened saliva, or if you find it difficult to swallow, tell your doctor.
Learn more about mouth health and cancer treatment and taste and smell changes.
How to look after your mouth
- Discuss any dental issues with your oncologist or haematologist before seeing the dentist. If you need to have any dental work, tell your dentist you’re having chemotherapy.
- Use a soft toothbrush to clean your teeth twice a day.
- Sip fluids, especially water, and eat moist foods such as casseroles or soups if you have a dry mouth.
- Soothe tender gums or mouth with plain yoghurt.
- Rinse your mouth often – when you wake up, after you eat or drink, and at bedtime. Ask your doctor, nurse or pharmacist what type of alcohol-free mouthwash to use. They may give you a recipe for a homemade mouthwash. Talk to your doctor or nurse about medicines to relieve pain.
- Try sucking on ice chips during chemotherapy to help prevent or reduce the severity of mouth ulcers.
- Blend foods to make them easier to eat. Try smoothies made of fruit and yoghurt.
- Avoid smoking, vaping and alcoholic drinks, as well as foods that are hot, spicy, acidic or coarse (e.g. nuts). These can make mouth sores worse.
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Prof Desmond Yip, Senior Staff Specialist, Department of Medical Oncology, The Canberra Hospital, ANU School of Medicine and Psychology, ANU College of Health & Medicine, The Australian National University, ACT; Gillian Blanchard, Nurse Practitioner, Calvary Mater, Newcastle, NSW; Ken Colbert, Consumer; Laura Collins, Clinical Dietitian, GenesisCare, WA; Karen Gray, Consumer; Kate Lucking, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council SA; Louise Moodie, Director of Dietetics, Mackay Hospital and Health Service, QLD; Dr Shivanshan Pathmanathan, Medical Oncologist, Townsville Cancer Centre, Townsville University Hospital, QLD; Dr Marissa Ryan, Acting Consultant Pharmacist (Cancer), Princess Alexandra Hospital, Woolloongabba, QLD; Jayne Watson, Clinic Nurse Consultant, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC; Stephanie Webster, Consumer.
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