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Going through cancer treatment

Start early. The hard weeks get easier.

Chemotherapy (strong cancer medicine) and radiation can cause mouth sores, dryness and lost taste. Early care can make it milder.

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Prevention firstBefore, during, afterMouth careLight therapy

Who this is for

You, or someone you are caring for.

  • You have a chemotherapy or head and neck radiation plan and treatment has not started yet. This is often a useful time for a mouth check.
  • Treatment has started and your mouth is sore, dry, or food tastes wrong.
  • You keep getting mouth infections or ulcers (open sores) during treatment.
  • Treatment has finished and your mouth has not gone back to normal.
  • You are the family member doing the caring, and you want a plan you can follow at home.

What actually happens

Before, during and after treatment.

  1. 1

    Before treatment

    A full check of teeth, gums and soft tissue. A broken tooth, a gum infection or a sharp edge is treated first, so it cannot flare up later. He agrees the timing with your cancer team and gives you a home routine.

  2. 2

    During treatment

    Gentle laser light (photobiomodulation, light that supports healing) can help with mouth sores. He and your cancer team decide whether it suits you. At home: water often, a soft brush, mild rinses, and foods that do not scrape.

  3. 3

    After treatment

    Follow-up visits check healing and help with lasting dryness or taste changes. After radiation to the head and neck, the jaw and teeth need ongoing checks too.

Why the mouth first

Why care starts with the mouth.

The mouth feels it first

Cancer treatment affects the fast-growing cells that line the mouth. Sores (mucositis), dry mouth (xerostomia) and infections can make eating hard. Early care helps manage them. Your cancer team decides on the cancer treatment itself.

A glass of water, a soft toothbrush and a folded cloth on a wooden table.

The home routine

A daily routine to discuss with your cancer team.

  1. Sip water through the day. Keep a bottle by you.
  2. Brush with a soft brush after every meal.
  3. Rinse gently with the rinse he gives you. No alcohol mouthwash.
  4. Eat soft, cool foods. Skip anything sharp, spicy or very hot.
  5. Look in your mouth once a day. Tell the clinic about any new sore.
  6. Keep any light therapy appointments agreed with your cancer team.

Questions people ask

What to know before you book.

Treatment starts next week. Is it too late?
It may still be useful to have a mouth check before the first dose. Contact the clinic as soon as you have a treatment date so care can be planned with your cancer team.
Does the light hurt?
Low-level laser light is not used to cut tissue. Many patients feel little or no sensation. Dr. Yavagal explains what to expect before any session.
Will this interfere with my chemotherapy?
Bring your treatment plan and your oncologist's (cancer doctor's) name. Dr. Yavagal can discuss suitable mouth care with them before treatment starts. Do not change prescribed medicines or cancer treatment without your cancer team's advice.
My mouth is already sore. Can you still help?
Yes. Care helps with sores that have already started. Light therapy may suit you, alongside a home routine agreed with your cancer team. Contact the clinic so he can see what is causing it.
Can we do the first visit by video?
Yes. He can look at your mouth on the call, go through your treatment plan and discuss a home routine. An in-person check may still be needed.
Do you treat the cancer itself?
No. Your oncologist (cancer doctor) treats the cancer. Dr. Yavagal looks after your mouth alongside your cancer team, so side effects are easier to bear.

A five minute check. A clear next step.

A check before the first dose can help you plan mouth care with your cancer team. A video consult is one way to start.

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