What are the treatment options for oral mucositis?

Your cancer team may recommend gentle mouth cleaning, bland rinses, medicines for pain, and products that keep irritated tissues moist. Treatment is tailored to the severity of soreness, ulcers, bleeding, swallowing difficulty and your cancer treatment plan. A clinician may check for thrush or another infection when symptoms change or do not settle.

Pain control can include a topical gel or rinse, medicine taken by mouth, or other prescribed options. A dietitian can suggest soft, cool, moist foods and high-energy drinks when chewing is uncomfortable. Nutrition support can help maintain intake when mouth pain makes ordinary meals difficult.

Use a soft toothbrush and clean the mouth gently as advised. Rinse with the solution recommended by your care team, sip fluids often, and choose foods that are soft and mild. Avoid tobacco, alcohol, very hot foods, and sharp, spicy or acidic items if they worsen irritation. Do not place aspirin or an unprescribed product directly on an ulcer.

Tell the oncology team before changing or stopping cancer treatment. They may adjust supportive medicines, arrange pain management, or coordinate nutrition support. Keep a simple record of drinking, eating, mouth sores and pain so changes are easier to describe.

Contact your cancer team promptly if pain prevents drinking, swallowing becomes difficult, sores are worsening, or you notice fever, new white patches, swelling, pus or bleeding that does not stop with gentle pressure. Seek urgent help for breathing difficulty, inability to swallow liquids, confusion or signs of severe dehydration such as very little urine and marked dizziness.

Which mouth rinse and pain medicine are suitable for me? How should I protect my mouth during the next treatment cycle? What should I eat or drink if swallowing hurts? When should I call the oncology team about sores, fever or reduced fluid intake?