1. < Head & Neck Cancer

Saliva and dry mouth: Head and neck cancer and treatments

Posted by Maureen, Alumna Mentor @alpaca, Dec 5, 2017

Many of us have this problem. Three years after RT and lots of talks by oncologists at our meetings and I'm still learning new details about this side effect. Some people have no saliva for life because their glands have been wrecked by the treatment, some recover some function as late as 2 years after (is that right?). Most people though have to manage a more or less dry mouth with constant to frequent sips of water or gels and sprays.< r />Even worse is what lack of saliva does to your teeth. I've learnt that normal saliva is continually building up the teeth and that without it we are in danger of rampant dental decay without extra fluoride treatment or heroic effects to keep out mouth acid neutral.< r />How do other manage this problem? What tips do you have?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Head & Neck Cancer Support Group.

Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Oct 29, 2022
In reply to @hawkssr "I had burning mouth syndrome and started the “pulling” with coconut oil and was very surprised..." + (show)
@hawkssr

I had burning mouth syndrome and started the “pulling” with coconut oil and was very surprised that after a week or so my mouth felt much better and now I have no symptoms of BMS and I had it severe for several months. I had extensive dental treatment and I’m pretty sure there was nerve damage, in fact I have one crown that is sitting on a nerve but again at least for now I no longer have BMS. It affected one side of the gums, roof of mouth and tongue. Look up Pulling to see how it’s done. Good luck!

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@hawkssr, you many wish to join members talking about burning mouth syndrome in this discussion group:
- Burning Mouth Syndrome (BMS): Anyone found any relief? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/burning-mouth-syndrome-2/

You'll find other discussions about BMS in the Skin Health group https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/skin-conditions/

REPLY
hawkssr | @hawkssr | Oct 19, 2022
In reply to @jlgm "hi, i have a burnning tongue that dosen't go away. I finish the RT and Chemo..." + (show)
@jlgm

hi, i have a burnning tongue that dosen't go away. I finish the RT and Chemo treatment 7 months ago. The Radiation doctor has no clue what it is or more importantly how to cure it. The Dentist dosen't either. I can't find any relieve. Any help/suggestion will be greatly appreciated. I aslo have the dry mouth deal but the burning tongue is what is difficult to deal with. Thank you.

Jump to this post

I had burning mouth syndrome and started the “pulling” with coconut oil and was very surprised that after a week or so my mouth felt much better and now I have no symptoms of BMS and I had it severe for several months. I had extensive dental treatment and I’m pretty sure there was nerve damage, in fact I have one crown that is sitting on a nerve but again at least for now I no longer have BMS. It affected one side of the gums, roof of mouth and tongue. Look up Pulling to see how it’s done. Good luck!

REPLY
2 replies
jlgm | @jlgm | Aug 19, 2022

hi, i have a burnning tongue that dosen't go away. I finish the RT and Chemo treatment 7 months ago. The Radiation doctor has no clue what it is or more importantly how to cure it. The Dentist dosen't either. I can't find any relieve. Any help/suggestion will be greatly appreciated. I aslo have the dry mouth deal but the burning tongue is what is difficult to deal with. Thank you.

REPLY
1 reply
ascc17 | @ascc17 | Aug 4, 2022

Thank you Jim for your input, I use same in liquid form before bedtime but it’s only good for 4hrs…dry mouth only when laying down… the problem is with the viscosity of saliva, it’s always syrup like so mouth never feels clean. I have no idea how to relieve that… does anyone? The other is the Thyroid medication which may be causing fatigue and some itching but not sure if the medication is the problem.

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jimthomasintl | @jimthomasintl | Aug 3, 2022

I use biotene tooth paste for dry mouth.

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ascc17 | @ascc17 | Jul 19, 2022

Must add… Had Full Plate Blood tests done, found Thyroid not quite normal due prior RT treatments, this only found out last year after 4yrs with no problems, so medication given which must now apparently be a life long thing…. Side effects?.. Tiredness, some itching but not sure if it’s because the medication, anyone have similar symptoms?…

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ascc17 | @ascc17 | Jul 19, 2022

I’m a Vietnam Veteran and 5yrs ago diagnosed with SCC, had 2/3 of lower jaw removed along with corresponding Lymph nodes. Lower left leg Tibia transplanted to replace jaw… Had RT shortly afterwards too. Presently on Liquified/Purred diet and Ensure Plus for nutritional needs per Drs advice, also had Peg Tube initially. Problem is Dry Mouth when laying down and Saliva is now like thin syrup all the time. Hydrate constantly with filtered water, this per Dr’ advice too?… Does anyone know why Saliva is syrup like and what can if anything be done about it? Thank you for any advice or comments given… User Name is ASCC17

REPLY
Barco@2194 | @wgatap21 | Apr 6, 2020
In reply to @jakedduck1 "@wgatap21 Hello, There are medications that can make you hyper salivate, the seizure medication Klonopin is..." + (show)
@jakedduck1

@wgatap21
Hello,
There are medications that can make you hyper salivate, the seizure medication Klonopin is one of them although we can also make your mouth dry as well. My experience with Klonopin Was when I first started taking it it made my mouth dry but as the doctor is increased my dose to nearly the max dose I started to salivate more. After approximately 40 years I don’t remember if it had an unusual taste or not. If I remember correctly I believe it was worse at night.
Drinking lots of water can help reduce excess saliva production as can good oral hygiene.
My dad took Elavil to reduce his saliva production.
Good luck,
Jake

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Also, I just read your brief bio, but God bless you and I'm happy to see all has worked and you're enjoying yourself!!! May The Lord kep on shining on you! Have a good day. Joe

REPLY
Barco@2194 | @wgatap21 | Apr 6, 2020
In reply to @jakedduck1 "@wgatap21 Hello, There are medications that can make you hyper salivate, the seizure medication Klonopin is..." + (show)
@jakedduck1

@wgatap21
Hello,
There are medications that can make you hyper salivate, the seizure medication Klonopin is one of them although we can also make your mouth dry as well. My experience with Klonopin Was when I first started taking it it made my mouth dry but as the doctor is increased my dose to nearly the max dose I started to salivate more. After approximately 40 years I don’t remember if it had an unusual taste or not. If I remember correctly I believe it was worse at night.
Drinking lots of water can help reduce excess saliva production as can good oral hygiene.
My dad took Elavil to reduce his saliva production.
Good luck,
Jake

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Thank you. I'll look it up. Did he ever find out why he had the excess saliva production? You see, this all started and I had been on certain meds for quite a while without this occurring. Stay safe(at home!)

REPLY
Barco@2194 | @wgatap21 | Apr 6, 2020
In reply to @colleenyoung "@wgatap21 how is your saliva production now?" + (show)
@colleenyoung

@wgatap21 how is your saliva production now?

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Well, given what the world, and here in NYC metro area, has been going through, I really have not thought about it much and it seems like an off and on situation. My Physician at NYU had never experienced what I explained, wanted me to see my Dentist. I got teeth cleaned...he checked everything out and said he honestly had never experienced it either! It started about 5 months ago, and there was no change in the meds I was taking. Very dry mouth. Got Biotene lozenges and helped but not long. I still take a few. But the mystery seemed to be this overproduction(not huge), but noticeable to me! They both concluded while it's annoying, they couldn't see anything serious! I wish there was a saliva gland doctor that I wouldn't mind seeing when this isolation period and this disastrous situation is
over. The World will certainly come out of this a changed place...good or bad, we'll see(I say good!:). Thx for checking in. If any thoughts arise, or some oral, gland specialist appears, maybe I can get an answer! Stay safe

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