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Information for Patients and Caregivers
Dry Mouth
What is treatment-related dry mouth?
Definition:
Dry mouth is an excessive or abnormal dryness of
the mouth related to a decrease in the quality or
quantity of saliva.
How do people describe dry mouth?
Some people describe dry mouth as a “cotton mouth”.
Some say their tongue and cheeks stick together, and
that they have difficulty chewing and swallowing foods
because their mouth is drier than usual. Your saliva
may feel dry or thick and ropey.
What causes dry mouth?
Many medicines can cause dry mouth such as over-the-counter
allergy; cough, cold and flu medicines. Prescription
medicines such as those that treat anxiety and depressions,
pain medications, some anti-nausea and high blood
pressure medications can also cause dry mouth. Dehydration
can also cause dry mouth.
How do people cope with dry mouth?
- Try using an over-the-counter saliva substitute.
- Drink liquids between meals to moisten foods
and ease swallowing.
- Try sucking on ice chips, hard candy or chew
sugarless gum.
- Brush your teeth with a soft-bristle toothbrush
after every meal and at bedtime.
- Try an over-the-counter artificial saliva substitute.
- Avoid using commercial mouthwashes contain alcohol,
including lemon-glycerin swabs (they may cause increased
drying and irritation to your mucous membranes).
- Add liquids to solid foods to make them more
tolerable (gravies, melted butter, yogurt or mayonnaise).
- Avoid dry, sticky foods such as peanut butter;
and hot, spicy foods, such as salsa or citrus fruit
juice.
- Avoid alcohol and tobacco products.
- Inspect your mouth daily for signs of infection
(redness, swelling, white or red patches in the
oral cavity).
What can family members and friends do to help with
dry mouth?
- Ask family members and friends to encourage you
to sip fluids throughout the day.
- Ask family members to prepare foods that are
soft and easy to swallow.
- Ask family members or friends to buy hard candy
or sugarless gum for you.
How can I talk to my family members or others about
dry mouth?
- Describe how your mouth feels.
- Tell them about how the dry mouth is affecting
how you feel and your ability to eat.
- Ask for suggestions on how to improve your dry
mouth.
What should I report to my doctor or nurse?
- Any new swelling, sores, white patches or redness
in your mouth lasting more than 24 hours.
- A temperature > 100.5.
- Inability to eat any food for 48 hours.
- If you have trouble breathing.
Where can I get more information?
References:
Milligan, S., McGill, M., Sweeney, M.P., & Malarkey,
C. (2001) Oral care for people with advanced cancer:
an evidence-based protocol. International Journal
of Palliative Nursing, 7(9): 418-26.
Iwamoto, R. (1999). In C. Yarbro, M. Frogge, &
M. Goodman (Eds.) Cancer Symptom Management,
264-272 . Sudbury, Massachusetts; Jones and Bartlett
Publishers. |
