 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 | I had 2 seperate tumors and neither one hurt at all. My pain began after rads started.
Ask for a prescription for magic mouthwash. Its a swish and spit formula made up of a few variations. Mine was made of lidocaine, malox, benedryl. This will help to numb the mouth long enough to allow him to eat and drink comfortably. It can be used a few minutes before brushing teeth too.
If you dont already have one a waterpik will greatly help keep his teeth extra clean. Use it on its lowest setting with a diluted mild non-alcholic mouthwash mixed with water, about 2 tbspn mouthwash to a cup of warm water.
Rinsing with a mixture of 16 oz warm water, 2 tsp salt and 2 tsp baking soda 20-30 seconds 4-8 times daily will help too. The salt will probably burn his mouth. It can be cut back or omitted but try to get some salt in there as salt water really helps with the mouth sores.
ChristineSCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44 2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07 -65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr Clear PET 1/08 4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I surg 4/16/08 clr marg 215 HBO dives 3/09 teeth out, trismus 7/2/09 recur, Stg IV 8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy 3wks medicly inducd coma 2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit PICC line IV antibx 8 mo 10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg OC 3x in 3 years very happy to be alive  | 
