Oral Care

Before you begin cancer treatment, you will want to make sure your mouth is as healthy as possible. This may reduce your chances of developing oral mucositis (OM), and if you develop it, having a healthy mouth will help you and your health care team better manage OM.1

Practicing good oral hygiene is the most important thing you can do to help prevent OM. It helps remove food debris from your mouth, minimize irritation, reduce plaque, and protect your mouth from infection.2,3 To be sure you’re taking good care of your mouth, follow these steps:

• Brush and floss regularly.
• Rinse your mouth with bland, nonirritating rinses including salt water, baking soda or both.2
• If you wear dentures or other removable dental pieces, remove them often, brush them every day, and soak them daily for 30 minutes in an antibacterial solution.1

In addition to good oral hygiene, it is important to see an oral care specialist for a thorough exam before starting your cancer therapy.1 He or she will evaluate your mouth, checking for things that might increase your risk of OM, such as the following:

• Broken or rough teeth
• Decaying teeth
• Dentures or other dental pieces that don’t fit properly
• Braces or other orthodontic devices (these may need to be removed before cancer therapy)1

Good oral care is important throughout your lifetime, but you should be especially good to your mouth before and during your cancer therapy. It not only may help you prevent OM, but if you develop OM, good oral care can help your mouth heal better.1 Visit the page called Other Protective Measures to learn more about preventing OM.