Hi Patricia!

You, like many or even all patients subjected to radiation to the head and neck suffer from xerostomia, or dry mouth.

Saliva does so many things for you, helps digestion, swallowing...but also tasting food. Saliva is key to keeping a healthy balance in your mouth of good bacteria too...which maybe the cause of the changes on your tongue etc...it was for me.

It is important to keep that balance so to promote a healthy balance eat yogurt or take acidopholus(sp) supplements for probiotics. Also steer away from things that will dry your mouth like alcohol, caffeine, over the counter antihistamines if possible and keep using biotene products...even the gum. According to the Mayo Clinic's website, studies have shown accupuncture helps.

Anyway I hope that helps.

Eric