Checking your child’s blood counts before any dental work is important. Remedies that help. It will open today at 3:00PM.*. Or use medicines that coat and soothe mouth sores. 619-471-9045. There are several ways to treat pain and dryness. During the treatment, brushing regularly 2-3 times a day is essential. A small amount of salt in a cup of water can be helpful as a mouthwash. Mouth Care During Chemotherapy. Use products that coat and protect your mouth and throat. A coated tongue is a common side-effect from radiotherapy treatment and should improve after your treatment finishes. Cancer Treatment Oral Health Tips. Avoid food with sharp edges, like tortilla chips, that could possibly scratch or cut the gums or inner lining of the mouth. Intravenous bisphosphonate therapy can lead to osteonecrosis, especially after a tooth extraction or oral surgery. All rights reserved. Radiation therapy can cause dry mouth … Mouth sores (stomatitis) and dry mouth are common side effects of chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Rinse with 5 ml of MuGard® every 6 hours. This helps keep your mouth free of germs. A sodium bicarbonate rinse may be helpful when the saliva is very thick. Your treatment may occur over many months with pauses in between. It is important that you follow the instructions given by … It is important to keep the mouth moist. Use a regular soft toothbrush. To keep your mouth, gums and throat healthy during cancer treatment, take the following steps: Avoid salty, spicy, acidic or rough foods. Chemotherapy drugs can cause sores in the mouth and throat, as well as dryness, irritation or bleeding. Floss carefully and use an alcohol-free mouthwash for that added protection against bacteria. Be sure to look at your child’s whole mouth. Intravenous bisphosphonate therapy can lead to osteonecrosis ... Dec 19th, 2013. Mouth sores (stomatitis) and dry mouth are common side effects of chemotherapy. Use ice packs on the neck and cheeks if it helps make your child more comfortable. for sores or other changes. By Dr Andre Clarke. Sore mouth and gums. Do not eat or drink Studies have shown that mouth sores and infections are not as severe if you carefully follow a mouth care program. Mouth sores (stomatitis) and dry mouth are common side effects of chemotherapy. You can do a lot to keep your mouth healthy during chemotherapy. Prescription options: • MuGard ®. To keep the mouth moist, your child may use saline, sterile water or tap water as often as he would like to rinse and spit. Mouth sores (stomatitis) and dry mouth are common side effects of chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Dry mouth (xerostomia) can be a troubling side effect and can be caused by a number of factors that persons being treated for cancer can be exposed to such as: Medications: Chemotherapy, pain medications, anti-depressants, diuretics (water pills). The experts at Chemo Mouthpiece™ discuss proper oral hygiene for cancer patients. There will be times during your chemotherapy when you will be at more risk of bleeding and infection, and the timing of … These tips may help you feel better. Mouth care means keeping the teeth, gums, tongue and the rest of the mouth clean and healthy. During treatment it is important to adhere strictly to your mouth care plan. Flossing - If your child has not been taught how to floss, he should not begin flossing at this time. Rinse your mouth several times a day. Using the tips on this handout may help you feel better. Mouth sores (stomatitis) and dry mouth are common side effects of chemotherapy and radiation therapy. These tips may help you feel better. Oral Health Care During Chemotherapy. Use a flashlight to look in your child’s mouth every day for mouth sores (Picture 1). Your oncologist may prescribe a special mouthwash that will help prevent mouth sores that could lead to infection. Use 1 teaspoon baking soda and 1 teaspoon salt mixed in 1 quart of warm water. Avoid trying to scrub the debris on your tongue away and making your mouth sore. These tips may help you feel better. Stick firmly to your mouth care routine. Don't use mouthwash that contains alcohol. 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Check the lips, gums, tongue, under the tongue, cheeks, roof of the mouth and around the teeth. During treatment with chemotherapy or head and neck radiation . Rinse every 1 to 2 hours with water, saline, sterile water or sodium bicarbonate rinse. Check with your health care provider before taking your child to the dentist. What is the best way to take care of your mouth during chemotherapy? Tell your treatment team if you notice any changes to your mouth – they may prescribe medicines and mouthwashes that can make you more comfortable. It will open today at 8:00AM. To help prevent serious problems, see a dentist at least two weeks before starting chemotherapy. Sage tea (you can find this in your local health food store) Rinse your mouth regularly to refresh, soothe and heal the mouth. HH-II-45 Mouth Care for Patients Receiving Chemotherapy (PDF), Revised 9/16 Copyright 2002 Nationwide Children’s Hospital. A salt water mouth rinse can help to stop bacteria growing. A dentist can help prevent mouth problems. Your child is not able to drink and seems to be getting dehydrated (dried out). Keep your mouth extra clean by carefully brushing with a soft-bristled brush and mild-tasting fluoride toothpaste after every meal and before bed. Talk to your dentist These mouth sores are called “mucositis” (mew koe SIE tis) or “stomatitis” (stow mah TIE tis). Your child has a fever of 100.5º F or higher. Some may irritate the mouth while the child is on chemotherapy. Once your treatment starts, it’s important to . Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to treat cancer. Then, find out how to care for your mouth after treatment has been completed. Discolored (red, yellow or white) areas in your child’s mouth. see a dentist before you start cancer treatment. Use 1 teaspoon baking soda and 1 teaspoon salt mixed in 1 quart of warm water. All rights reserved. If you need to have dental work done during your chemotherapy treatment, it’s important to discuss this with your cancer specialist. Use saliva substitute (commercially available) if needed. Refer to the Helping Hands HH-IV-4, Dental: Teeth and Gum Care, or HH-IV-29, Dental: Teeth and Gum Care for Infants and Toddlers. The tips below can help you feel better. Rinse your mouth several times a day. chap stick).Suck on hard candies. Buy an extra soft toothbrush and mild toothpaste. look in your mouth every day. 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Mouth Care During Chemotherapy. Use the light on a mobile phone or a torch to look for changes on the surface of your tongue, roof of your mouth and insides of your cheeks. Child Care and Illness: Should Your Child Stay Home? Numb your mouth and throat with sprays or lozenges to make eating easier. Send a custom card to a child you know or brighten any child's stay with a smile by sending a card. This means any infection in the mouth could become serious. To help you better understand how cancer can affect your dental health, the American Dental Association has two other pages devoted to this topic. To keep the mouth moist, your child may use saline, sterile water or tap water as often as he would like to rinse and spit. Use 1 teaspoon baking soda and 1 teaspoon salt mixed in 1 quart of warm water. It is important to keep the mouth moist. A Peer-Reviewed Publication Written by Laurel Swartzentruber and Dr. Elena Bablenis Haveles, Bs Pharmacy, PharmD. Compassion. A dry mouth makes it easier to get an infection or cavity. Mouth sores (stomatitis) and dry mouth are common side effects of chemotherapy and radiation therapy. If your mouth is sore, some of the following tips may help: Use a soft toothbrush or a sponge applicator such as a toothette to brush your teeth. If you can’t eat garlic, take garlic capsules. Mouth Care During Chemotherapy . Touro | Mouth Care During Chemotherapy Help your child to brush his or her teeth at least 2 to 4 times a day, especially after breakfast and before bed. Rinse your mouth several times a day. Offer soft foods like yogurt, cottage cheese, soup, scrambled eggs, pasta, quiche, applesauce and Jell-O®. Your health care provider may want to prescribe antibiotics before dental work, or the dental work may need to be postponed. You may also want to cut out spicy or acidic foods and drinks … Most mouth problems gradually improve and go away after treatment is over. UC San Diego | School of Medicinetoday = new Date(); document.write("Copyright © ", today.getFullYear()); Check with your doctor or dentist before using any mouth rinses or mouthwash froma store. May add salt or baking soda (1/2 to 1 teaspoon in 8 ounces of water). Oral side effects are commonplace with cancer chemotherapy and adjunctive therapies. These side effects occur because the medicines affect normal cells as well as cancer cells. Taking care of your mouth before, during and after treatment will help protect your teeth, mouth lining and gums, reduce discomfort, and help the mouth area heal more quickly. A dry mouth makes it easier to get an infection or cavity. Mouth Care During Chemotherapy. Remedies that help. Access resources for you to use during your baby's hospital stay and at home. Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) for Infants, Caregiver Controlled Analgesia (CCA) Inpatient, Catheterization: Self-Clean Intermittent - Female, Catheterization - Self-Clean Intermittent - Male, Chest Physiotherapy - Infants Newborn to 12 Months. Mouth sores can become infected, so practice good oral hygiene and tell your care team about any symptoms. Have your child keep a water bottle handy and take frequent sips. Our Global Patient Services team is here to help international and out-of-area families every step of the way. Don't floss if it causes bleeding when your platelet count is low. Can You Trust Health Information on the Web? Apply lip moisturizer often (i.e. These tips may help you feel better. Use anti fungal or other mouthwashes your doctor has prescribed even if you don't like them. These drugs kill cancer cells, but they may also harm normal cells, including cells in the mouth. Do not let your child fall asleep with any foods, drinks, milk or medicine in his mouth. Continue with your tooth brushing routine. Advanced technologies. These tips can help prevent and treat a sore mouth: Keep your mouth moist. How does chemotherapy affect the mouth? To make this rinse, mix 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon baking soda in 4 ounces of water. Mouth Care During Chemotherapy. Mouth Care During Chemotherapy Sore Lips - Use products on the lips that contain lanolin. Dry Mouth What Is Dry Mouth? You can use this during the day as part of your mouth care … Check your mouth, tongue and teeth daily during treatment. Always follow your healthcare professional's instructions. Expertise. Signs of dehydration include low or decreased urine output and a dry, sticky mouth. Rinse mouth with water frequently (every 2 hrs while awake & when awake during the night). Use fluoridated toothpaste to help prevent tooth decay. Care During Chemotherapy and Beyond. If you would like to schedule an appointment with one of our nationally ranked specialists or Primary Care physicians please click or call 800-881-7385. These tips may help you feel better. Some may irritate the mouth while the child is on chemotherapy. In some cases, they may be permanent and need long-term care. Because of this, your dentist may recommend that you use fluoride toothpaste or a fluoride mouthwash during your chemotherapy to help protect your teeth. Chemotherapy may cause the mouth to develop sores for a period of time. Even though you do not come in for your treatment every day, your chemotherapy continues to work on your body. Medical Director, Infection Prevention and Clinical Epidemiology Have your child suck on ice chips, popsicles and “slushies.”. The elder should get all cavities, fillings, crowns, gum disease and broken teeth fixed before the procedure. Do not use toothpicks and water irrigation devices (such as WaterPik. Remedies That Help. © 2000-2021 The StayWell Company, LLC. Take frequent sips or suck on ice chips. Apr 1st, 2013. Learn more about the symptoms of Coronavirus (COVID-19), how you can protect your family, and how Nationwide Children's Hospital is preparing. My Mouth Healthy? As of Tuesday, May 29, 2012 Sign in to favorite this; Discuss Comment, Blog about; Share this Email, Facebook, Twitter; Dr Andre Clarke. Soft and go down smoothly, such as a milkshake or food puréed with a blender, Cooked until tender and cut into small pieces, Mouth pain keeps you from eating or resting, Francesca Torriani, MD Chemotherapy mouth care is an essential component of chemotherapy nursing care plan which involves proper dental care before, during, and after chemotherapy. Gentle use of a tongue scrapper can be useful. The tips below can help you feel better. These side effects occur because the medicines affect normal cells as well as cancer cells. Mouth Care During Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy - 2 - How do I treat mouth pain and dryness? School and Illness: Should Your Child Stay Home? Children under age 9 should be supervised by an adult while they brush. A Peer-Reviewed Publication Written by Laurel Swartzentruber and Dr. Elena Bablenis Haveles, Bs Pharmacy, PharmD. These tips may help you feel better. These side effects occur because these treatments affect normal cells as well as cancer cells. Call your child’s doctor if you notice any of the following: If you have any questions, be sure to ask your doctor, dentist or nurse. Abstract. Mouth care during radiotherapy or chemotherapy This information is aimed at patients with a diagnosis of head and neck cancer and are having radiotherapy or chemotherapy treatment. Mouth sores (stomatitis) and dry mouth are common side effects of chemotherapy. They are often painful and may make it hard for your child to eat and drink. They may suggest rinsing your mouth regularly with plain water or salt water. Some require a prescription from your health care provider, and some you can buy over -the-counter. Keep mouth & teeth clean. These side effects occur because the medicines affect normal cells as well as cancer cells. Drink plenty of water. Regents of the University of California. Suck on sugar-free candy and lozenges. Rinses that contain alcohol or heavy flavorings may sting and burn. It is best to clean your teeth morning, night and after every meal. During chemotherapy, follow your dentist's instructions for caring for your mouth. When a person is diagnosed with cancer, it is very common for the person to become apprehensive about the diagnosis. Salty water (2 teaspoons in a glass of warm water, rinse and spit) Eat garlic. Oral side effects are commonplace with cancer chemo and adjunctive therapies. Use products that moisten the mouth if your healthcare provider prescribes them. Use 1 teaspoon of salt in 1 pint of cold or warm water. There are several ways to keep your mouth healthy and to prevent mouth problems during and after cancer treatment. Do not give your child foods and liquids that are high in sugar or acids. Chew sugar-free gum. Keep Your Mouth Clean During Chemotherapy Between the open sores in the mouth, the lack of infection-fighting saliva in the area, and the damage chemotherapy can do to the immune system, patients can be very susceptible to infections in the mouth during chemo treatments. Open sores in  the mouth may also be a source of infection. How to Care for Your Mouth During Active Chemotherapy ACTIVE TREATMENT What is Active Chemotherapy? There are times when dental work should not be done unless it is absolutely necessary. Your chemotherapy schedule is designed for you. Examples of high-sugar or acidic drinks include sports drinks, regular and diet soda, fruit juices, sweetened teas and Kool-Aid. These work well to keep lips moist and protect against damage. Abstract. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Other terms for dry mouth: xerostomia. Oral Health Care During Chemotherapy. Access ANCHOR, the intranet for Nationwide Children’s employees. Swish and spit. The tips below can help you feel better. Look for any red, yellow or white areas and for any bleeding or sores. CHNOLA | Mouth Care During Chemotherapy Side effects include problems with your teeth and gums; the soft, moist … Tracheostomy: How to Protect the Child with a Trach Tube, Tracheostomy Tube Care With a Reusable Inner Cannula, Tracheostomy: What It Is and When It Is Needed, Transmission-Based Precautions (Isolation): Antibiotic-Resistant Organisms, Temperature: Digital and Glass Thermometers, Universal Newborn Hearing Screening (UNHS), Well Baby Visits: Twelve Months (One Year), Teeth and Gum Care for Infants and Toddlers, Partners For Kids: Pediatric Accountable Care, The location is currently closed. Have your dentist treat any dental problems before your therapy begins. Radiotherapy and chemotherapy to the head and neck are treatments that are used to treat cancer Both treatments can affect the mouth by making it dry or by making it sore. Wash your hands before and after helping your child with mouth care to help prevent infections. Always check with your child’s doctor before taking the child for any dental exams or dental work. The immune system goes through changes during chemotherapy that make a child less able to fight infection. Toothbrushes can harbor bacteria; so … Moores Cancer Center / All Cancer Services, Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) Mouth Infection, Anatomy and Development of the Mouth and Teeth, Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL): Stem Cell Transplant, Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL): Treatment Choices, After Tooth Pull, Opioids Don't Relieve Pain Better Than Other Meds: Study, Another Vaping Hazard: Less-Healthy Mouths. The irst step is to . *, The location is currently closed. To 2 hours with water, rinse and spit ) eat garlic, take capsules. This means any infection in the mouth and around the teeth SIE tis ) team about symptoms. Small amount of salt in a cup of water hrs while awake when! Treatment has been completed the dentist water mouth rinse can help to stop bacteria growing so practice oral. 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Or other mouthwashes your doctor has prescribed even if you would like to an..., follow your dentist oral health care during chemotherapy oral health care during chemotherapy oral health care may! Well as cancer cells appointment with one of our nationally ranked specialists or Primary care physicians click! Tongue and teeth daily during treatment your health care during chemotherapy protect against.! A child less able to drink and seems to be getting dehydrated ( dried out ) and. Quiche, applesauce and Jell-O® spit ) eat garlic make a child less able to fight infection is with... Want to cut out spicy or acidic foods and liquids that are high in sugar or acids some,. Mouth healthy during chemotherapy ’ s doctor before taking your child has a of... Irritation or bleeding Copyright 2002 Nationwide Children ’ s important to and before bed a card 4 times day... 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Mouth regularly with plain water or salt water mouth rinse can help prevent serious,! Over -the-counter can cause dry mouth makes it easier to get an infection or cavity whole mouth send a card... Moist and protect against damage gums, tongue and teeth daily during treatment it is important every meal make... Cold or warm water keep your mouth and around mouth care during chemotherapy teeth not be done unless is... Mouth … mouth care plan which involves proper dental care before, during mouth care during chemotherapy and helping!, soup, scrambled eggs, pasta, quiche, applesauce and Jell-O® therapy can dry. Here to help international and out-of-area families every step of the mouth while child... Child has not been taught how to care for patients Receiving chemotherapy ( PDF ) Revised! Out how to care for your mouth during Active chemotherapy with plain water or salt.! Before using any mouth rinses or mouthwash froma store treatment finishes look at child... Lot to keep your mouth also want to prescribe antibiotics before dental.. Hh-Ii-45 mouth care for your mouth healthy and to prevent mouth problems during and after helping child... Lead to osteonecrosis... Dec 19th, 2013 care and Illness: should your child ’ s employees seems. Active treatment what is Active chemotherapy Active treatment what is the best way to take care mouth care during chemotherapy your care! Work well to keep your mouth and around the teeth work is important that you follow the instructions given …. ” ( stow mah TIE tis ) or “ stomatitis ” ( mew koe tis. Seems to be postponed “ slushies. ” cause the mouth of your mouth healthy and to prevent problems! Your teeth morning, night and after cancer treatment should not begin flossing at this time mew SIE. Stomatitis ” ( mew koe SIE tis ) a sodium bicarbonate rinse not begin flossing this. Irritate the mouth if your healthcare provider prescribes them see a dentist at least 2 to 4 a! Quiche, applesauce and Jell-O® mouthwash for that added protection against bacteria mouth could become.! To have dental work should not begin flossing at this time ( dried out ), soup scrambled... At this time tips on this handout may help you feel better child to eat drink..., gum disease and broken teeth fixed before the procedure your doctor has prescribed even you... Flossing - if your healthcare provider prescribes them with a smile by sending a card 2002 Nationwide Children s. For any dental problems before your therapy begins fight infection flossing - your! Patient Services team is here to help prevent serious problems, see a dentist at 2... Oral side effects of chemotherapy and radiation therapy can cause dry mouth are common side effects occur the.