www.cancer.gov 33 Clean your mouth, teeth, gums, and tongue. Î Brush your teeth, gums, and tongue after each meal and at bedtime. Î Use an extra-soft toothbrush. You can make the bristles even softer by rinsing your toothbrush in hot water before you brush. Î If brushing is painful, try cleaning your teeth with cotton swabs or Toothettes, which are shaped sponges on a stick. Î Use a fluoride toothpaste or special fluoride gel that your dentist prescribes. Î Do not use mouthwash that has alcohol. Instead, rinse your mouth three to four times a day with a solution of baking soda, salt, and warm water followed by a plain water rinse. There are many recipes for this solution, but an example is 1/4 teaspoon baking soda, 1/8 teaspoon salt, and 1 cup of warm water. Î Gently floss your teeth every day. If your gums bleed or hurt, avoid those areas but floss your other teeth. Ask your doctor or nurse about flossing if your platelet count is low. (See Bleeding problems on page 18 for more information on platelets.) Î If you wear dentures, make sure they fit well and keep them clean. Also, limit the length of time that you wear them. Be careful what you eat when your mouth is sore. Î Choose foods that are moist, soft, and easy to chew or swallow. These include cooked cereals, mashed potatoes, and scrambled eggs. Î Use a blender to puree cooked foods so that they are easier to eat. To help avoid infection, be sure to wash all blender parts before and after using them. If possible, it is best to wash them in a dishwasher. Î Take small bites of food, chew slowly, and sip liquids while you eat. Î Soften food with gravy, sauces, broth, yogurt, or other liquids. Î Eat foods that are cool or at room temperature. You may find that warm and hot foods hurt your mouth or throat. Î Suck on ice chips or popsicles. These can relieve mouth pain. Î Ask your dietitian for ideas of foods that are easy to eat. For ideas of soft Foods that are easy on a sore mouth, see page 54.
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