Oral Complications and Chemotherapy or Radiation Therapy

by National Cancer Institute

(Page 2 of 5)

Routine Oral Care

Continuing good dental hygiene during and after cancer treatment can reduce complications such as cavities, mouth sores, and infections. It is important to clean the mouth after eating. The following are guidelines for everyday oral care during chemotherapy and radiation therapy:

Tooth brushing

• Brush teeth and gums with a soft bristle brush 2 to 3 times a day for 2 to 3 minutes.
• Rinse the toothbrush in hot water every 15 to 30 seconds to soften the bristles, if needed.
• If it is necessary to use a foam toothbrush, use it with an antibacterial rinse, when possible.
• Allow the toothbrush to air dry between brushings.
• Choose toothpaste with care: Use a mild-tasting toothpaste; flavoring may irritate the mouth. If toothpaste irritates the mouth, brush with a solution of 1 teaspoon of salt added to 4 cups (1 quart) of water. Use a fluoride toothpaste.

Rinsing

• Rinse the mouth 3 or 4 times while brushing.
• Avoid rinses containing alcohol.
• One of the following rinses made with salt and/or baking soda may be used.
• An antibacterial rinse may be used 2 to 4 times a day for gum disease. Rinse for 1 to 2 minutes.
• If dry mouth occurs, rinsing may not be enough to clean the teeth after a meal. Brushing and flossing may be needed.

Flossing

Floss gently once a day.

Lip care

Use lip care products to prevent drying and cracking.

Oral Mucositis

Mucositis is an inflammation of mucous membranes in the mouth.

The terms "oral mucositis" and "stomatitis" are often used in place of each other, but their meanings are different.

Mucositis is an inflammation of mucous membranes in the mouth. It usually appears as red, burn-like sores or as ulcer-like sores throughout the mouth.

Stomatitis is an inflammation of tissues in the mouth, such as the gums, tongue, roof and floor of the mouth, and tissues inside the lips and cheeks. It includes infections of mucous membranes.

Mucositis may be caused by either radiation therapy or chemotherapy. In patients receiving chemotherapy, mucositis will heal by itself, usually in 2 to 4 weeks when there is no infection. Mucositis caused by radiation therapy usually lasts 6 to 8 weeks, depending on the duration of treatment.

The following problems may occur:

• Pain.
• Infection.
• Bleeding, in patients receiving chemotherapy. Patients undergoing radiation therapy usually do not have a bleeding risk.
• Inability to breathe and eat normally.

Swishing ice chips in the mouth for 30 minutes may help prevent mucositis from developing in patients who are given fluorouracil. Medication may be given to help prevent mucositis or keep it from lasting as long in patients who undergo high-dose chemotherapy and bone marrow transplant.

Care of mucositis during chemotherapy and radiation therapy focuses on cleaning the mouth and relieving the symptoms.

Treatment of mucositis caused by either radiation therapy or chemotherapy is generally the same. After mucositis has developed, proper treatment depends on its severity and the patient's white blood cell count. The following are guidelines for treating mucositis during chemotherapy, stem cell transplantation, and radiation therapy:

Cleaning the mouth

Clean the teeth and mouth every 4 hours and at bedtime, more often if the mucositis becomes worse.

Use a soft bristle toothbrush.

Use water-soluble lubricating jelly to moisturize the mouth.

Use bland rinses or plain sterile water. Frequent rinsing removes particles and bacteria from the mouth, prevents crusting of sores, and moistens and soothes sore gums and the lining of the mouth. The following rinse may be used to neutralize acid and dissolve thick saliva: ½ teaspoon salt and 2 tablespoons baking soda in 4 cups of water.

If crusting of sores occurs, the following rinse may be used: Equal parts hydrogen peroxide and water or saltwater (1 teaspoon of salt in 4 cups of water). This should not be used for more than 2 days because it will keep mucositis from healing.

Relieving pain

Try topical medications for pain. Rinse the mouth before applying the medication onto the gums or lining of the mouth. Wipe mouth and teeth gently with wet gauze dipped in saltwater to remove particles.

Painkillers may provide relief when topical medications do not. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS, aspirin-type painkillers) should not be used by patients receiving chemotherapy because these patients have a bleeding risk.

Capsaicin, the active ingredient in hot peppers, may be used to increase a person's ability to tolerate pain. When capsaicin is put on inflamed tissues in the mouth, mucositis pain may decrease as the burning feeling from the capsaicin decreases. The side effects of capsaicin are not known.

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