A dry mouth or the production of thick saliva occurs with certain cancer medications and treatments. These side effects are annoying to say the least. However, there are things you can do to alleviate the conditions. - Keeping your mouth clean helps alleviate dry mouth and thick saliva problems. Brush your teeth more often with a soft bristle brush. Don't forget to brush your tongue when brushing your teeth. Use a baking soda and water rinse or a saltwater rinse before and after meals to help prevent infection in your mouth. Make the rinse by putting ½ teaspoon salt and one teaspoon baking soda in a quart of water. You may also use a plain water rinse.
- Do not use commercial mouthwashes.
- Do not drink alcoholic beverages.
- Stay away from tobacco products, which aggravate dry mouth.
- Stop drinking beverages with caffeine – these include colas, coffee and tea. Do not eat chocolate, which also contains caffeine.
- Cool mist humidifiers help moisten the air. Using one at night at least is a good idea, but make sure to keep the humidifier clean so mold and bacteria cannot spread.
- Popsicles, ice chips, frozen grapes and sour lemon drops are great to suck on.
- Cool or room-temperature soft, moist foods help in controlling dry mouth or thick saliva. Stay away from foods that stick to the roof of your mouth.
- Drinking 8-12 cups of liquid a day helps loosen mucus.
- Eat small bites and chew them thoroughly.
- Drink through a straw instead of from a cup or glass.
Foods that help control dry mouth or the production of thick saliva: - Hot tea with lemon, fruit ades, sports drinks, liquid nutrition supplements, homemade ice cream and milkshakes, pudding, salad dressing, butter, margarine, sour cream, half-and-half, diluted juices, and club soda.
- Soft bread and rolls, rice in gravy, broth, milk or sauce; cooked and cold cereals served with milk.
- Any meat, fish or poultry in a sauce or gravy, soups, stews and casseroles.
- Fresh, moisture-rich fruits, such as oranges, peaches.
- Vegetables in sauce.
Foods to avoid: - Meat, poultry and fish without sauces
- Dry, hard breads and snacks such as pretzels and chips, pasta, rice, and cereal.
- Dried fruits and vegetables, unless they are served in a sauce.
- Pie, cake and cookies, unless they are soaked in milk or another liquid.
By Ellie Kuykendall |
