Dry mouth and mouth ulcers are common side effects of many cancer treatments, often referred to as ‘mucositis’ or ‘chemotherapy-induced oral lesions’. This can be due to the effect of chemotherapy on rapidly dividing cells in the body, such as hair cells and those in the mouth. Symptoms that the patient may experience include dry mouth, mouth ulcers, tongue irritation, difficulty swallowing, and mouth infections.

To cope with these symptoms, the patient can follow some guidelines such as:

1. Maintaining good oral hygiene: The patient should gently brush their teeth with a soft toothbrush and use a mild toothpaste. It is also recommended to use a mouthwash containing soothing ingredients like glycerin.
2. Adopting a proper diet: The patient should avoid spicy, salty, and acidic foods that may worsen mouth irritation. Additionally, it is advised to avoid hard or difficult-to-swallow foods if experiencing swallowing difficulties.
3. Hydration : The patient should drink plenty of fluids, preferably cold or cool-temperature beverages.
4. Taking care of the lips: It is recommended to regularly use lip balm to prevent dryness and cracking.
5. Communicating with the healthcare team: The patient should discuss with their treating medical team to obtain more specialized guidance and perhaps a prescription medication to treat symptoms if necessary.

It may also be helpful for the patient to discuss with the healthcare team any medications they are taking to address side effects, and there may be other options available to effectively manage these symptoms.

---

---