Dry mouth (xerostomia) can be a troubling side effect and can be caused by a number of factors that persons being treated for cancer can be exposed to such as:

• Medications: Chemotherapy, pain medications, anti-depressants, diuretics (water pills).
• Radiation therapy can cause dry mouth when the salivary glands have been exposed to radiation. The salivary glands produce saliva - the moisture in your mouth or spit. Sometimes, over a period of time, the salivary glands will start to work again but they rarely return to normal function. Dry mouth caused by radiation to the salivary glands can be a life long problem.
• Conditions such as dehydration, or fungal infection of the mouth (candiasis) may lead to xerostomia. Treating dry mouth may be treating the underlying cause such as dehydration or infection. In cases where medications that can cause dry mouth and the benefits of taking the medication outweigh the side effects - measures to relieve the dry mouth symptom are used. Dry mouth caused by damage to the salivary gland may be a life long problem and requires patience for treating. There are many treatments that may assist in alleviating xerostomia and many of these can be tried on your own.

2. Things you can do for treating dry mouth:

Keep mouth and lips moist:

• Rinse mouth with water frequently (every 2 hrs while awake & when awake during the night). May add salt or baking soda (1/2 to 1 teaspoon in 8 ounces of water).
• Use saliva substitute (commercially available).
• Biotene® products can be purchased without a prescription. Products available for treating dry mouth are; mouthwash, toothpaste, as well as, chewing gum that has the pH of saliva.
• Oralbalance® moisturizing gel can be applied to the mouth or tongue and acts as a moisturizing coat.
• Apply lip moisturizer often (i.e. Chapstick®).
• Suck on tart hard candies (lemon drops, Jolly Ranchers®). Watch sugar content with candy - can produce cavities.
• Use cool mist room humidifier at night in the bedroom. A humidifier on the furnace doesn't provide enough humidity for treating dry mouth.

Keep mouth & teeth clean

• Use soft-bristle toothbrush (can soften even more by placing brush in very warm water), cotton swabs, mouth swabs (popsicle stick covered with gauze) to clean teeth after each meal and at bedtime. (3 or more times a day).
• Clean dentures and/or bridge after eating. Leave out dentures if experiencing any discomfort caused by xerostomia.
• Floss gently with unwaxed floss (if platelet count not too low).
• May use Water-Pik®
• Avoid mouthwashes with alcohol base. Use non-alcohol based mouthwashes.
• Avoid lemon glycerin swabs - contribute to dryness.