Specialist areas
Dry mouth
Treatment can sometimes give you a dry mouth. If you have this then try:
- A moist and soft diet to make chewing and swallowing easier. This means having foods with sauce, gravy, butter or margarine, cream and oil added.
- Avoid foods that stick to your mouth, e.g. chocolate, pastry.
- Take small bites and chew thoroughly.
- To stimulate your saliva: suck lemon or pineapple sweets, ice-cubes or lollies flavoured with sugar-free cordial or squash, suck/eat pineapple chunks or grapefruit segments – try them frozen or chew sugar-free chewing gum.
- Spray the inside of your mouth with cold water.
- Suitable artificial saliva sprays, mouthwashes and lozenges can be prescribed from your doctor. Alternatively, ask your dentist which mouthwashes are appropriate, as some can cause tooth decay.
- Brush your teeth regularly with a soft toothbrush after meals and before bed. Ask your doctor if a mouthwash is needed.
- Use lip balm to keep your lips moist.