Coping with a sore mouth or throat
What should I eat if…I have sore mouth?
Why have I got a sore mouth or throat?
A sore mouth or throat may be due to your illness or a side effect of your treatment. It can also be made worse by infections such as thrush or by problems with your teeth or dentures. You may find that it affects your taste and can make eating uncomfortable.
What can I do about it?
Speak to your doctor or nurse who can prescribe medication to help. It is also important to have a health care professional check your mouth to rule out oral thrush. This is a common problem during treatment and is usually easy to treat.
Useful tips if you have a sore mouth or throat
- Soft, moist foods may be easier to manage so try to choose naturally soft food such as mashed potato, well-cooked rice, or scrambled eggs.
- Dry, crumbly, or rough textured foods can be difficult to eat. Try adding moisture with extra sauces, gravies, custard, or cream to soften your food.
- If eating solid food is difficult, try nourishing fluids instead, such as milk, milkshakes, smoothies, or soup. Your dietitian may also advise you to have nutritional supplement drinks.
- Avoid drinking alcohol and smoking, as they can irritate your mouth.
- Very hot or very cold foods may irritate your mouth. For example, ice cream straight from the freezer, piping hot drinks or soup. Cool or room temperature food and drink may be soothing.
- Salty, spicy, or acidic foods or drinks such as crisps, curry, vinegar, oranges, or citrus fruit juice, can irritate a sore mouth. Avoid them if they make your symptoms worse.
It is much better to take painkillers and be able to eat and drink than to avoid eating because it is too painful.
Tips for looking after your mouth
Good oral hygiene (mouth care) is very important during treatment:
- Keep your mouth clean by brushing your teeth twice a day with a soft toothbrush (baby sized if necessary).
- Regularly use alcohol-free mouthwashes and gargles.
- Drink plenty of fluids.
- If you have crusty sores in your mouth, rinse with alcohol-free mouthwash several times a day to loosen the crusts.
Your treatment centre may recommend specific products for mouth care.