My Dear friend,
On January 11 I will be cancer free for two years. I too had tonsillar cancer and was treated with IMRT, I was as concerned as you about saliva and taste buds. It seemed never ending, however I must say most everything came back 6-8 months , be patient. It is not as before but pretty darn good, I still cannot taste sweets to well, especially chocolate (not my favorite anyways) but all other is pretty good, I still do not go to bed or in my care without something to drink at all times, and it is hard to teach sometimes, but my friend I will take it seven days a week as opposed to the alternative. It does get better, but it sure is slow, hang in there.
Lenny