Return
Home
New
Patients
Services
and Clinics
Useful
Links
Contact
Us
Download
Page
Cancer
Information
Mouth Soreness and Ulceration
 
 

Certain chemotherapy drugs cause either generalised rawness of the mucosal lining of the mouth and throat, or patches of ulceration. Others may cause lip ulceration. The lowered immunity associated with chemotherapy may cause outbreaks of oral herpes simplex eruptions (“cold sores”). Here are some tips for good mouth care during chemotherapy to minimize these problems:

  • Suck ice during the infusion of Adriamycin. This protects the oral mucosal lining from the acute effects of the chemotherapy drug. (It only works for Adriamycin, and not for methotrexate or fluorouracil, two of the other breast cancer chemotherapy drugs that commonly cause mouth problems.)

  • Use a sodium bicarbonate mouth-wash regularly. Make this yourself by mixing a teaspoon of sodium bicarbonate in a litre of water. Gargle with it at least four times daily.

  • Use alkaline toothpaste, like Colgate Bicarbonate and Peroxide, and brush your teeth regularly and carefully.

  • Floss your teeth regularly.

  • If painful ulcers occur, use Bonjela to sooth the discomfort.

  • Avoid alcohol-containing mouthwashes and preparations, like Listerine.

  • If the symptoms are sufficiently severe to prevent eating or swallowing immediately seek medical advice.

  • Outbreaks of cold-sores should be treated promptly with topical Zovirax.

  • Have a dental check before you start chemotherapy. Minor work can be done safely during chemotherapy, preferably choosing days when the blood count is likely to be least affected (-usually just before, or just after the days on which your chemotherapy is given. Major work, such as extractions or root canal therapy, should be reserved until after you have recovered from your final chemotherapy if possible. Otherwise, ask your dentist to call your oncologist to arrange a suitable schedule. At Westmead we have a special consultative service in Oral Medicine to which you can be referred for special problems.



| Beating Nausea | Alopecia (Hair loss) | Low blood counts and Infection | Menstrual changes and Infertility | Bad taste 'Dysgeusia' | Mouth Soreness and Ulceration | Indigestion and Heartburn | Changes in Mental Function | Nose Bleeds | Bad smells | Diarrhoea | Anaemia | Fatigue | Depression |
| What's New | FAQ Page | Living with chemotherapy | Dietary Advice | Exercise | The Flu Vaccine | Insomnia | Marijuana | Alternative Medicine | Managing Menopause | Advice to Carers | Breast Cancer | Pain | Useful Tips | Chemotherapy: The What and How | MRI Screening |
| Your Cancer Information |
| Return Home | New Patients | Services and Clinics | Useful Links | Contact Us | Download Page | Cancer Information |
 
 



Copyright © 2008, RF Kefford Pty Ltd. All rights reserved.