Mucositis self-help tips

Taking care of your mouth, teeth and gums before and during treatment is important. It can help reduce your risk of getting mucositis.

It can also help reduce symptoms, infection and dental problems caused by oral mucositis. Here are some simple things you can do:

• Make sure you see your dentist before you start treatment.
• Brush your teeth and gums at least twice a day using a very soft child’s toothbrush and a mild fluoride toothpaste.
• Ideally, brush after every meal and before bed.
• Rinse your toothbrush and store it in a cup with the head facing up.
• Change your toothbrush every month.
• If you’re used to cleaning between your teeth, carry on using floss or interdental brushes. Don’t start flossing during treatment if you haven’t been doing it before, as you risk making your gums bleed.
• Rinse your mouth with a mild alcohol-free mouthwash, plain warm water or saltwater throughout the day. For a saltwater rinse, add a teaspoon of table salt to 900ml of cold or warm water that’s previously been boiled, and use within 24 hours.
• You might find it soothing to suck on ice cubes or crushed ice, especially if you have a dry mouth. Ice creams or ice lollies may also help.

Making changes to your diet if you need to may help you manage the effects of oral and GI mucositis. You may find that it helps to:

• drink plenty of water or fluids
• eat foods that have a lot of water
• eat a soft diet and eat less fibre.

Avoid foods and drinks such as:

• acidic foods like tomatoes, oranges, lemons and fruit juices
• spicy foods
• rough foods such as crusty breads or crisps
• alcohol, including alcohol-based mouthwashes
• fizzy drinks
• very hot foods and drinks.

If you smoke, stopping would help your symptoms and improve your overall health.  The NHS has advice and a list of services if you need support to stop smoking.

Brush dentures at least twice a day with toothpaste and rinse with water. Make sure you also brush your gums with a soft toothbrush.

If you have an oral infection such as thrush, soak your dentures in a suitable disinfectant (chlorhexidine or sodium hypochlorite) for 15 minutes twice a day.

Try not to wear your dentures if your mouth is sore.

If you have diarrhoea, it’s important to avoid dehydration. Try to drink at least two litres of water a day. You can mix in cordial or squash if you like. Take any diarrhoea medicine as advised by your doctor or pharmacist.

If you have oral mucositis with mild symptoms, it usually takes 3 to 4 weeks to get better after you’ve finished chemotherapy. More severe symptoms may take longer, and you may need to stay in hospital to be treated and monitored.

If you have GI mucositis, most of the symptoms should stop a few weeks after your treatment has finished. Sometimes diarrhoea can continue for some months after radiotherapy.

Speak to your doctor or nurse if you’re worried that your symptoms are not going away after the expected time.