Jodezilla,

The thick saliva was so bad for me. I had the nurses power wash my mouth with this power-mister they had. They did this everyday after treatment and a couple of times a week for about a month post. There were some days when the relief was just awesome & would leave me feeling significantly better for a couple of hours & some days when they could have done it all day long & it still may not have been enough.
Keep gargling with your baking soda & salt solution. Also standing in the steamy shower helps get some of the gunk out.
I'm almost 6 months out & I can just promise you that it does get better!!
Hang in there- it's tough and sucks but you can and you will get through this!!

Best to you!!

Sally