#94 Nassau Street PO Box N-9311 Nassau Bahamas

242-325-6284

info@ocbahamas.com

M-F: 8am-5pm - Sat: 8am-4pm

Pharmacy: M-F 8am-4pm

Mouth Pain

Health Information

Resources

Cancer medications by name

Visit: www.chemocare.com

Disease / Cancer by name

Visit: www.plwc.org

UNDERSTANDINT THE
DIFFERENT SIDE - EFFECTS
OF CANCER

Mouth Sores (Mucositis)

Radiation treatments and some types of chemotherapy can cause sores inside the mouth and on the mucous lining of the throat and digestive tract. Mucositis can be a serious problem because it can cause pain and infections, making it difficult to eat, drink, and swallow. Once treatment ends, mouth sores do disappear. But before they fade, it’s important that you work closely with your health care team to manage this side effect of cancer treatment.

Maintaining Oral Health

One of the key things you can to manage mucositis is to take good care of your mouth and keep it clean. Here are some tips:
  • Visit your dentist before treatment. A small problem could turn into a large one if mouth sores develop later on.
  • Choose a soft bristle brush for brushing your teeth.
  • If toothpaste irritates your mouth, use a mixture of ½ teaspoon salt with 4 cups water.
  • Gargling may also help. Use a solution made up of 1 quart plain water, ½ teaspoon table salt, and ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • Drink plenty of fluids

Soothing Mouth Pain

Some options for soothing mouth pain include:
  • Ice chips or Popsicles.
  • Ibuprofen (such as Motrin) or acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) for mild pain.
  • Over-the-counter anesthetics, such as Anbesol, Xylocaine, or Orajel. Let your doctor know if you are using them, especially if he or she prescribes a lidocaine-based mouthwash.
  • Gelclair — an oral gel designed to coat and soothe mouth sores by forming a protective barrier in the mouth. This product is available by prescription only scissors.
  • “Magic mouthwash” is another prescription product designed to soothe mouth sores. It contains Maalox to coat the mouth and lidocaine to relieve the pain. Some pharmaceies that specialize in cancer care offer their own version of magic mouthwash.
  • Opiates, a class of drugs that includes morphine, may also be prescribed to help you cope with mouth pain.
You should always check with your oncology doctor or nurse before using these products as they may also hide fever which is an indication of infection.

Office Hours

Nassau                                               M-F 8am-5pm
Saturday 8am-4pm
Pharmacy M-F 8am-4pm

Freeport 
M-F 8:30am-4:30pm

Contact Details

Phone Number


NASSAU
242-325-6284

FREEPORT
242-373-2544

Email - Nassau Office

info@ocbahamas.com

Email - Freeport Office

freeport@ocbahamas.com

Visit Us

#94 Nassau Street PO Box N-9311 Nassau Bahamas

St. Jude's Medical Centre, 11B Coral Rd, Freeport, Grand Bahama

Fax

Nassau
242-325-8060
242-322-1407

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