I think the return of saliva has a lot to do with where the radiation was aimed. I'm 18 mos out of surgery and 16 out of treatment and I still score a happy 00 on my saliva test though I do have some. Acidic stuff, cooked tomatoes, vinegar, fizzy anything - pop or water... - or spice is highly unpleasant. But I can't complain I'm doing well. If you have fissures I'd buy a water pick, and use it on the lowest setting and maybe that will help clean your mouth and the problem areas -they have a tongue cleaner attachment that is more gentle than the gum cleaner and kind of just shoots the water into hidden places, I used it through it treatment and it's great. Food left in fissures can definately cause irritation. I pik after brushing twice a day.