Mouth sores

Looking 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.
• Rinse your mouth often – when you wake up, after you eat or drink, and at bedtime. Ask your doctor or nurse 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 and help with healing.
• 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.
• Try sucking on ice during chemotherapy sessions. This may help to prevent mouth ulcers.
• Blend foods to make them easier to eat. Try smoothies made of fruit and yoghurt.
• Avoid smoking and alcoholic drinks, as well as very hot foods and spicy, acidic or coarse foods (e.g. nuts or grains). These can all make mouth sores worse.