What is mucositis?

Mucositis or mouth sore is an ulceration or inflammation of the oral mucosal. Cancer patients may have swelling inside the mouth and throat that can lead to painful mouth sores. Mouth sores begin around 1 to 2 weeks after starting cancer treatment.

Cancer treatments break down the rapidly divided epithelial cells lining the gastrointestinal tract (which goes from the mouth to the anus), leaving the mucosal tissue open to ulceration and infection. 

How bad is my mucositis or mouth sore?

Mild: Usually it is asymptomatic or you may have mild symptoms such as dry mouth, dry lips, bad breath, and mild burning sensation while eating. Most of the time, mild mouth sores can be safely managed at home by following the tips given below.

Moderate: The symptoms include oral pain or ulcer that may not interfere with food intake, neck stiffness and tiredness. It can be safely managed at home but sometimes may require medical assistance.

Severe: Visit your doctor urgently if you have fever, weight loss, stomach pain or mouth ulcers that interfere with swallowing, eating or talking.

How to manage mild to moderate mucositis?

Keep track of your symptoms using Ankr (myAnkr web portal or the Ankr app). It will help you describe the discomfort to your doctor or nurse.

The following tips may help:

• Brush your teeth gently with fluoride toothpaste several times a day. If the mouth sores are severe, use an oral sponge on a stick, instead of a toothbrush.
• Floss gently.
• Rinse or gargle with a solution of saltwater and baking soda. Try mixing 1/2 teaspoon of salt plus 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda in a glass of water.
• Avoid mouth rinses with alcohol.
• If you wear dentures, lessen the time that you wear them. Avoid wearing them at night and consider removing them between meals.
• Choose foods that require little or no chewing.
• Avoid acidic, spicy, salty, coarse, and dry foods.
• Try drinking through a straw to help avoid irritating your mouth sores

How to manage severe mucositis?

Seek medical help if you have

• Red, shiny, or swollen mouth and gums
• Blood in the mouth
• Soreness or pain in the mouth or throat
• Dysphagia (painful swallowing) or talking
• Feeling of dryness, mild burning, or pain when eating food
• Soft, whitish patches or pus in the mouth or on the tongue

What causes mucositis?

• Chemotherapy, radiation therapy to the head and neck area and bone marrow/stem cell transplantation can cause mouth sores.  
• A low body-mass index
• Chewing or smoking tobacco
• Poor oral hygiene