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- • Mucositis Radiation mucositis frequently occurs after radiation to the head and neck. If the membranes lining
- your mouth and throat are inflamed, you will need a nourishing soft diet. Sharp-edged or salty foods, such as
- pretzels and potato chips, should be avoided. So should extremely hot or cold, acidic or spicy foods that may
- irritate the membranes even more. You should also stop drinking alcoholic beverages and smoking or chewing all
- forms of tobacco immediately, since they can irritate the mouth and throat.
- When you have mucositis, good oral hygiene is crucial. Frequent use of a gentle mouthwash can help reduce
- discomfort or pain, especially if you use a solution of baking soda and salt dissolved in warm water instead of
- commercial mouthwashes that might irritate the mucosa.
- If the mucositis is severe and interferes with eating or drinking, you can use a topical anesthetic such as
- viscous lidocaine, gargling 5 mL (1 tsp.) before meals. A slurry of sucralfate—prepared by dissolving sucralfate
- in water and sorbitol, which is available at most drug stores— can also coat the oral membranes and soothe any
- discomfort.
- Your radiation oncologist will have to check your mucositis carefully and often to rule out monilia (fungus)
- infection. These infections can be treated locally or systemically with mycostatin oral suspension or tablets,
- ketoconazole or fluconazole.
- • Dry mouth Xerostomia, or dry mouth, isn't unusual after radiation to the mouth or pharynx, since you can't
- produce as much saliva after irradiation of the salivary glands. This may be a temporary condition, though if
- the total dose exceeds 4,000 cGy, you may have some degree of permanent mouth dryness. You can minimize
