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Some people who are having radiation to the head and neck have redness and irritation in the mouth, a dry mouth, difficulty in swallowing, changes in taste, or nausea. Try not to let these symptoms keep you from eating.
Other problems that may occur during treatment to the head and neck are a loss of your sense of taste, earaches (caused by hardening of ear wax), and swelling or drooping of skin under the chin. There may be changes in your skin texture. You also may notice that your jaw feels stiff and that you cannot open your mouth as wide as before your treatment. Jaw exercises may help this problem. Report any side effects to your doctor or nurse and ask what you should do about them.
If you are receiving radiation therapy to the head or neck, you need to take especially good care of your teeth, gums, mouth, and throat. Side effects from treatment to these areas most often involve the mouth, which may be sore and dry.
Here are a few tips that may help you manage mouth problems:
- Avoid spices and coarse foods such as raw vegetables,
dry crackers, and nuts.
- Don't smoke, chew tobacco, or drink alcohol.
- Stay away from sugary snacks that promote tooth
decay.
- Clean your mouth and teeth often, using
the method your dentist or doctor recommends.
- Do not use a commercial mouthwash; the alcohol
content has a drying effect on mouth tissues.
Radiation treatment for head and neck cancer can increase your chances of getting cavities. Mouth care designed to prevent problems will be a very important part of your treatment. Before starting radiation therapy, notify your dentist and arrange for a complete dental/oral checkup.
Ask your dentist to consult with your radiation oncologist about any dental work you need before your radiation treatments begin.
Your dentist can give you very detailed instructions about caring for your mouth and teeth to reduce the risk of tooth decay and will help you deal with possible problems such as soreness of the tissues in your mouth. It is important to your total well-being that you follow the dentist's advice while you're receiving radiation therapy. Most likely, you will be advised to:
- Clean teeth and gums thoroughly with a
soft brush after meals and at least once more
each day.
- Use a fluoride toothpaste that contains
no abrasives.
- Floss gently between teeth daily, especially
if you flossed regularly before your illness.
- Use a disclosing solution or tablet after
brushing to reveal plaque that you've missed.
- Rinse your mouth well with a salt and
baking soda solution after you brush. Use 1/2
teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda
in 1 quart of water.
- Apply fluoride regularly as prescribed
by your dentist.Your dentist can explain how
to use disclosing tablets, how to mix the salt
and baking soda mouthwash, and how to use the
fluoride treatment method that best suits your
needs. Most likely you can get printed instructions
for proper dental care at the dentist's office.
Soreness in your mouth or throat may appear in the second or third week of external radiation therapy. It is likely to decrease from the fifth week on and end a month or so after your treatment ends. You may have trouble swallowing during this time because your mouth feels dry. Your doctor or dentist can prescribe medicine for mouth discomfort and advise you about methods to relieve other mouth problems.
If you wear dentures you may notice that they no longer fit well. This may happen if the radiation causes swelling in your gums. It's important not to let your dentures cause gum sores that may become infected. You may need to stop wearing your dentures until your radiation therapy is over.
Your glands may produce less saliva than usual, making your mouth feel dry. It's helpful to sip cool drinks often throughout the day. Water probably is your best choice. In the morning, fill up a large cup or glass with ice, add water, and carry it with you so you have something to drink during the day. Keep a glass of cool water at your bedside at night, too. Many radiation therapy patients say that drinking carbonated beverages helps relieve dry mouth. Sugar-free candy or gum also may help. Avoid tobacco and alcoholic drinks because they will dry and irritate your mouth tissues even more. Moisten food with gravies and sauces to make eating easier. If these measures are not enough, ask your dentist about artificial saliva. Dry mouth' may continue to be a problem even after treatment is over.
If you are having radiation therapy to the chest, you may find swallowing difficult or painful. Some patients say that it feels like something is stuck in their throat.
Soreness or dryness in your mouth or throat can make it hard to eat. However, there are several ways to ease your discomfort:· Choose foods that taste good to you and are easy to eat.
- Try changing the consistency of foods
by adding fluids and using sauces and gravies
to make them softer.
- Avoid highly spiced foods and textures
that are dry and rough, such as crackers.
- Eat small meals, and eat more frequently
than usual.
- Cut your food into small, bite-sized pieces.
- Ask your doctor for special liquid medicines
that can help you eat and swallow more easily
by reducing the pain in your throat.
- Ask your doctor about liquid food supplements.
These can help you meet your energy needs.
- If you are being treated for lung cancer,
and you get your doctor's okay, try to drink
extra fluids. This will help keep mucus and other
secretions thin and manageable.
- If your sense of taste changes during
radiation therapy, try different methods of food
preparation.
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