Thanks Anne-Marie, I go off the deep end easily these days. Gordon just started to use a new toothpaste called Colgate Prevident 5000, so I wonder if that might be the culprit. It has a high fluoride level and he's also using the dental trays with fluoride every night. He is staying away from anything spicy and doesn't drink alcohol at all, and is careful to use a soft toothbrush and not eat anything hard or crunchy. He's also just using baking soda and water for a rinse. I can believe that the tongue is very tender after this harsh treatment - the dental hygienist at the cancer clinic told him he has some bald patches on his tongue. I guess this means some of the taste buds have been burned away by the radiation. I will keep you posted, and thanks so much for your support. Anne