Mouth sores / dry mouth: Managing Cancer Treatment Side Effects. Cancer and its treatment can weaken the immune system and damage the cells lining the mouth. Oral problems are common in people with cancer, particularly head and neck cancers. Mouth sores and/or dry mouth can be painful and make it difficult to eat, chew, swallow and talk. When oral mucositis becomes severe, it can also cause bleeding or infection. Your doctor or dentist may prescribe medications to help heal and soothe your mouth. Sometimes oral complications can become severe enough that it is necessary to modify or delay your treatment so your mouth can heal. Mouth cancer, also known as oral cancer, is where a tumour develops on the surface of the tongue, mouth, lips or gums. Tumours can also occur in the salivary glands, tonsils and the pharynx (the part of the throat from your mouth to your windpipe) but these are less common. Symptoms of mouth cancer. Angular cheilitis is a fairly non specific term which describes the presence of an inflammatory lesion in a particular anatomic site (i.e. As there are different possible causes and contributing factors from one person to the next, the. Question - i have had two red, dry patches on the each corner of my mouth - P5. Find the answer to this and other Dental questions on JustAnswer. I can go as far as to say it could have resulted in saving my sons life and our entire family now knows what. What causes a itchy rash around mouth, lips and swelling in mouth? I have a rash around my whole mouth, it consist of little pimples that look like they have a white. Tips for managing mouth sores / dry mouth Visit your dentist, who can check the health of your mouth and teeth and help lessen the severity of oral complications like infection. Check your mouth each day to look for any changes. Check the inside of your Look. Often dry, red or cracked rashes in the corner of the mouth are caused by a yeast infection and is known as perleche. Over-the-counter anti-fungal creams can often help. Fever blisters can occur in the corner of the mouth as well, but are treated with prescription anti-viral medicines. Good oral hygiene can also help decrease the severity of mouth sores and other problems. Mouth sores (oral mucositis/stomatitus)Oral mucositis or stomatitus is an inflammation of mucous membranes inside the mouth. Symptoms of mucositis/stomatitus may include: mouth sores, white patches on the tongue, redness or irritation of the mouth and throat, pain when swallowing or the sensation of a lump in the throat, dryness of the mouth, tenderness or burning when eating spicy or acidic foods. Dry Mouth (Xerostomia)Dry mouth, or xerostomia, (which can also lead to oral mucositis) occurs when the salivary glands do not produce enough saliva. Saliva also helps to neutralize acid in the mouth and clean the teeth and gums, thereby helping to prevent infection, mouth sores, tooth decay, and gum disease. Symptoms of xerostomia may include thick or stringy saliva, taste changes, cracked lips, sore tongue and/or changes in your ability to speak clearly. Tips for managing mouth sores / dry mouth. Visit your dentist, who can check the health of your mouth and teeth and help lessen the severity of oral complications like infection. Check your mouth each day to look for any changes. Check the inside of your cheeks, the roof of your mouth, your lips, gums and under your tongue. Look for red areas or white patches, which often become sores. Drink plenty of fluids (e. A straw may make drinking easier. Try chewing sugarless gum or sucking on sugarless candies to help increase saliva flow. Avoid drinking fluids that are very hot or cold, as well as acidic drinks (e. Eat soft, bland and lukewarm/cool foods that are easy to swallow (e. Moisten dry foods with gravy, broth or milk, or puree food in a blender to make it softer and easier to eat. Do not eat hot, spicy or fried foods. Avoid acidic or high- sugar fruits and juices, which can make you more susceptible to tooth decay. Avoid alcohol and tobacco. Try milk products (e. Ask your doctor if there is a solution you can rinse with to numb your mouth sores, or a pain medication you can take before meals. Gently brush your teeth, gums and tongue with a soft bristled toothbrush in the morning, after meals, and before bedtime. Choose mild- tasting, non- abrasive toothpaste with fluoride. Keep your lips moist with lip moisturizer or mild lip balm. Rinse your mouth with sterile water or a bland, non- irritating solution several times a day, particularly after meals and at bedtime. Avoid mouthwashes and other products that contain alcohol. Use a cool mist humidifier at night to keep your mouth and throat moist while sleeping. Do not wear loose- fitting dentures that may irritate the mouth and gums. If mouth sores are severe, or if dentures fit poorly, do not wear them. NOTE: This information is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to making decisions about your treatment. What can I do about the corners of my mouth being red? Red corners of the mouth are often associated with having a dry mouth. To make the redness go away, you’ll want to increase the flow of saliva in your mouth. One way to do that is by drinking more water to stay hydrated and sucking on sugar- free candies to keep your saliva flowing. You can also chew sugarless gum, which would have the same effect as the candy. Try rubbing on some oral moisturizing gel, which you can buy at a drugstore. If you use mouthwash regularly, switch to one that’s alcohol- free, since alcohol has a drying effect. You might consider changing some of the foods you eat, such as avoiding foods with a lot of salt and dry foods like crackers. Drinks containing caffeine or alcohol can also cause your body to lose moisture, so try avoiding those to see if it helps. Smoking is another behavior that can cause a dry mouth and related symptoms. Dry mouth is not a disease. Instead, it’s a symptom of another condition that might cause your mouth to produce less saliva. If you can treat the actual problem, you might be able to make the corners of your mouth normal again. There are several causes of xerostomia, including medications that can lower saliva levels in your mouth. Some diseases can also cause a dry mouth, including diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, high blood pressure, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), anemia, and cystic fibrosis. Xerostomia can also happen when you’re dehydrated, which can happen if you recently had a fever, vomiting, diarrhea, or were sweating a lot. It's also common during radiation treatment for cancers in the neck or head. You might want to talk to your dentist or doctor about your dry mouth to see what the cause might be.
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