Mouth sores may develop from chemotherapy. With head and neck cancer treatment, the mouth and throat can often become irritated, raw, and painful. Soothing your mouth and throat is best so that you may continue to eat and get the nutrition you need to heal.
Eating soft, bland foods that are cold or room temperature can be soothing. To continue to get nutrients, you can blend foods into smoothies, soups, shakes, or you can mash potatoes. You can also try puddings, ice cream, or macaroni and cheese.
Freezing fruits is another option. Frozen blueberries, grapes, and cherries are delicious and very soothing to an irritated mouth and throat. You can also try popsicles from the store.
Also, adding liquids to foods can make it easier to swallow. Add broths, sauces, and gravy to foods to make them softer and easier to swallow.
Make sure you’re getting enough calories and protein to help your body heal! That irritation and those sores need nutrients to heal, so be sure to get nutrition through food or choose nutritional supplement drinks.
Adding tofu, yogurt, ice cream, and milk to smoothies and shakes can increase protein content.
THINGS TO AVOID:
If your mouth and throat are already hurting, don’t make it worse! Stay away from hot foods and beverages that can burn your mouth. Avoid citrus fruits and tomatoes that are acidic and can sting your mouth. Also stay away from spicy foods that can be painful in your mouth, as well as rough, dry, and course foods that could scratch your mouth or throat.
Try drinking through a straw! If you just have a few sores, or if the problem is more your mouth than your throat, drinking a room-temperature or cold liquid through a straw can bypass the painful parts in your mouth.
You can also rinse your mouth with some of this baking soda and salt mouth rinse. This removes food and germs, while also promoting healing.
- 1 quart of water
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
RECAP
- Eat soft, bland foods that are cold or room temperature to soothe your mouth and avoid the risk of burning it
- Avoid crunchy and rough foods, as well as foods with a lot of spices or acid, that can scratch or burn your mouth and throat
- Make sure you are getting enough protein and calories for your body to heal any sores or painful places
- Try using a straw to bypass any sore spots in the mouth
- Make a baking soda and salt rinse
- If you’re having difficulty swallowing from pain or sores, try thick liquids, eating soft foods like applesauce and mashed potatoes, or blending foods into smoothies
Eat Well!
-Julie
