Mami
I had both surgery and radiation, and experience the same burning sensation of and on. For me it's not just acidic foods, although they account for the problem most of the time.

Certain spices also set it off, and the only thing that seems to help for me, although not all the time is flat club soda. I try and keep an opened bottle of it in the refrigerator (for me, ice cold is the best) and just gargle and swish it around in my mouth.

As Steve suggests, I think it's primarily the nerves regenerating after surgery, and becoming a bit hyper-sensitive. I had a free flap taken from my forearm and have a hpersensitivity problem on my wrist that the occupational therapist is working on.

With my wrist, the strategy is to desensitize the area gradually by exposing it to a variety of textures, from very soft to coarse.

My mouth seems to respond in a similar way. Initially, it seemed like almost anything would set off the "fire", but now it's a little less likely to occur with a lot of things.

Do you/did you have a gastro tube for nurishment? I didn't and I wonder if the complete lack of taking food in through your mouth for extended periods may contribute to the problem.

I tried to eat at least a little bit throughout treatment, so I think that may have helped a bit.

Let us know how you make out, O.K.?
Wayne

Stage IV SCC left mandible. Removed 40% of jaw and reconstructed with titanium and fibula, free flap from forearm June 06. 30 treatments IMRT August, September 06