Mouth Sores (Mucositis)
Radiation treatments and some types of chemotherapy can cause sores inside the mouth and on the mucous lining of the throat and digestive tract. Mucositis can be a serious problem because it can cause pain and infections, making it difficult to eat, drink, and swallow. Once treatment ends, mouth sores do disappear. But before they fade, it’s important that you work closely with your health care team to manage this side effect of cancer treatment.
Maintaining Oral Health
One of the key things you can to manage mucositis is to take good care of your mouth and keep it clean. Here are some tips:
- Visit your dentist before treatment. A small problem could turn into a large one if mouth sores develop later on.
- Choose a soft bristle brush for brushing your teeth.
- If toothpaste irritates your mouth, use a mixture of ½ teaspoon salt with 4 cups water.
- Gargling may also help. Use a solution made up of 1 quart plain water, ½ teaspoon table salt, and ½ teaspoon baking soda
- Drink plenty of fluids
Soothing Mouth Pain
Some options for soothing mouth pain include:
- Ice chips or Popsicles.
- Ibuprofen (such as Motrin) or acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) for mild pain.
- Over-the-counter anesthetics, such as Anbesol, Xylocaine, or Orajel. Let your doctor know if you are using them, especially if he or she prescribes a lidocaine-based mouthwash.
- Gelclair — an oral gel designed to coat and soothe mouth sores by forming a protective barrier in the mouth. This product is available by prescription only scissors.
- “Magic mouthwash” is another prescription product designed to soothe mouth sores. It contains Maalox to coat the mouth and lidocaine to relieve the pain. Some pharmaceies that specialize in cancer care offer their own version of magic mouthwash.
- Opiates, a class of drugs that includes morphine, may also be prescribed to help you cope with mouth pain.
You should always check with your oncology doctor or nurse before using these products as they may also hide fever which is an indication of infection.