Mouth health and cancer treatment

Some cancer treatments cause side effects in the mouth (oral) area. This information will help you, your family and friends understand more about the mouth changes you may experience and how to take care of your mouth before, during and after treatment. Not all cancer treatments cause mouth changes.

Learn more about:

• How treatment affects the mouth
• Taking care of your mouth before treatment
• Oral side effects caused by cancer treatments 
• Oral mucositis and saliva changes
• Mouth care during and after treatment
• How carers can help

How treatment affects the mouth

Many types of cancer treatments can cause side effects that affect the mouth area. For example:

• some chemotherapy and targeted therapy drugs can damage healthy cells in the mouth, causing mouth sores or infections
• radiation therapy to the head, neck or upper chest area may injure cells in the mouth and salivary glands, or cause changes to the strength of the muscles and nerves used in swallowing
• surgery to the head and neck area can affect the ability to chew and swallow.

Your health care team will discuss the likely oral side effects of treatment and suggest ways to manage them.

Having ongoing problems with your mouth can be difficult to cope with. Taking care of your mouth before, during and after treatment will help protect your teeth, mouth lining and gums, reduce discomfort, and help the mouth area heal more quickly. Most mouth problems gradually improve and go away after treatment is over. In some cases, they may be permanent and need long-term care.

Find a dentist who understands the effects of treatment and get advice for the health of your teeth long term.

— Julie