Yes. Xerostomia, also called dry mouth, results from the inhibition of production of saliva by cells in the salivary glands. Certain chemotherapy drugs have this side effect.
Normal levels of saliva have powerful action against the growth of bacteria and viruses in the mouth and throat. When the amount of saliva in the mouth decreases due to xerostomia, bacteria in the mouth and throat can multiply. A possible consequence of high levels of bacteria in the mouth is tooth decay.
There are several things you can do to help prevent and treat xerostomia, including:
Keeping your body hydrated. Drink a lot of fluids.
Try sucking on ice chips to keep your mouth moist, decrease the risk of mouth sores, and reduce existing pain in the mouth, especially during the chemotherapy treatment. Using ice chips, which sometimes is called cryotherapy, can reduce the flow of blood to cells in the mouth, decrease exposure of the mouth to the chemotherapy drug, and lower the risk of development of mouth sores.
Chewing sugarless gum or sucking on hard candy
Eating moist foods instead of dry, scratchy foods. Moistening dry foods before chewing them may be helpful.
Avoiding very acidic foods, such as tomatoes, oranges, and grapefruits, which can exacerbate mouth sores. Try eating less acidic fruits (examples: apricots and pears) and less acidic vegetables (examples: beans, peas, and squash).
Avoiding very salty and spicy foods
Rinsing your mouth every 3 to 4 hours with a mixture of 1/2 teaspoon baking soda or salt and 8 ounces of water.
Rinsing your mouth with alcohol-free mouthwash (such as Biotene or a chamomile mouthwash) every 2 hours. Chamomile mouthwash has a soothing effect on the mouths mucous membranes.
Keeping your lips moist with a nurturing balm
Using good oral hygiene to help prevent tooth decay and mouth sores. Use a soft toothbrush to brush your teeth 2 or 3 times daily. If using any toothbrush is too painful, use cotton swabs to brush your teeth.
Consult your oncologist, oncology nurse, and dentist for other suggestions for managing xerostomia. If the self-care approaches do not resolve the symptoms of xerostomia adequately, your oncologist may reduce the dose of your chemotherapy or interrupt the treatment temporarily to allow the lining of your mouth and throat to heal.
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