Dry mouth

Macmillan Cancer Support Medical Reference

• If your tongue is 'coated' it may make your food taste unpleasant and might put you off eating. You can clean your tongue with a bicarbonate of soda solution: use 1 teaspoonful of bicarbonate of soda (available from your chemist) dissolved in a pint (450mls) of warm water. Clean your tongue with cotton wool dipped in the solution or with a soft toothbrush.
• Frequent drinks, even taking just a few sips at a time, can help to keep your mouth moist. You may find fizzy drinks the most refreshing.
• Try sucking ice cubes or ice lollies. You can make lollies by freezing fresh juice in ice-cube trays or in special lolly containers with sticks. These can be bought from many kitchenware shops.
• Moisten your food with lots of gravy or sauce.
• Avoid chocolate and pastry; they stick to the roof of your mouth.
• Chewing gum can stimulate your saliva.
• Salivix boiled sweets (available on prescription and from most chemists) stimulate saliva production.
• Tell your doctor about your dry mouth. They can prescribe artificial saliva sprays or gels, mouthwashes or lozenges, if you think they will help.
• Use lip balm or Vaseline for dry lips.
  

For information about other eating problems you may experience with cancer, and suggestions to help you overcome them, visit Macmillan Cancer Support’s website.