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Oral health during cancer treatment
Looking after your teeth and gums is more important than normal when you're having cancer treatment as it can cause problems in your mouth.
Talk to your dentist and others involved in your care about ways to prevent common problems that can cause discomfort.
Always let your treatment team know if you are having problems - they may be able to help in a number of ways. Mouth problems can let infections get into your body, with potentially serious consequences, so early diagnosis and treatment is important.
Keeping your teeth and gums healthy
 Clean your teeth gently with a soft toothbrush, especially where your gums and teeth meet - after every meal and before bed. Use fluoride toothpaste if you can tolerate it, or a paste of sodium bicarbonate, or water. Rinse out your mouth regularly. Inspect your mouth regularly and let your health care team know of any problems.If you have false teeth
See your dentist if your dentures don’t fit properly - otherwise they may rub and cause ulcers and infection. Take them out and clean them thoroughly every day, and leave them out when you’re resting. Store them in clean water in a plastic container.Fluoride
Extra fluoride put on your teeth after cleaning helps make your teeth less likely to get holes in them. Talk to your dentist about which treatment is best for you.Common problems of different treatments
surgery (to the head and neck) – can affect eating, chewing and swallowing radiotherapy (to the head and neck) – dry mouth, tooth decay, mucositis, taste loss, infections and bone damage chemotherapy – infections, mucositis and haemorrhage.Mucositis (inflammation of the lining of the mouth) can be very uncomfortable and painful. The lining of your mouth can be red and sore, and develop ulcers. There might be a thin, white film over the lining too. It needs to be treated.
Eat moist, bland foods (not hot or spicy) without large or hard pieces. If you have a dry mouth
stimulate saliva by chewing gum, or eating tangy foods carry a water bottle to squirt water into your mouth when needed avoid sticky, sugary foods that stay on your teeth and lead to tooth decay use artificial saliva.Use lanolin on dry lips – a lubricating ointment or gel on your lips may also help. Ask your pharmacist.
Most mouth infections are due to common microorganisms that exist normally in your mouth – but during treatment you are more susceptible to them. Good mouth care and early treatment will help stop major problems developing. Yoghurt (a soothing and nutritious food) may help as it has some anti-fungal activity. Treatment will depend on knowing what type of infection you have – see your doctor.
Eating problems are common during treatment.
To help maintain a healthy diet
make sure your mouth feels clean and fresh before you eat eat foods you enjoy prepare moist foods and drink plenty of fluid.If your gums start bleeding for no reason, let your doctor know.
Find out more
Read Oral health during cancer treatment
Call Cancer Council Helpline 13 11 20 if you would like more help and information.
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