Mouth Sores During Chemotherapy: How to Choose a Gentle Toothpaste and Maintain Nutrition When Eating Hurts
Eating can become unexpectedly difficult during chemotherapy . It is not always because you have lost your appetite. A sip of water may sting. Chewing may rub against sore tissue. Your tongue, gums, or the inside of your cheeks may burn, and swallowing may become painful. Even the toothpaste you have always used may suddenly feel too strong, making brushing your teeth difficult. “Should I still brush when my mouth hurts this much?” “What kind of toothpaste will sting less?” “Will I lose strength if I can only eat porridge or soft foods?” “Should I start drinking a nutritional supplement?” Oral mucositis during cancer treatment can become more than a painful mouth problem. When pain reduces food and fluid intake, it can contribute to dehydration, weight loss, and malnutrition. Dry mouth, taste changes, nausea, and fatigue may make eating feel almost impossible, even when you understand how important nutrition is. The answer is not simply to force yourself to eat more. The first go...