Radiation therapy for the head and neck will cause oral mucositis, which emerges on the 3^rd week after the start of radiation therapy. Smoking, drinking and betel nut chewing should be prohibited. 

Symptoms of Oral Mucositis

• The oral submucosa is dry and swelling: including the lips, cheeks, jaw, and gingival mucosa.
• Reduced and sticky saliva secretion. 

• Excess and thick coating on the tongue with change in smell and texture.
• Difficulty and pain with chewing and swallowing.

Treatment Method

• Oral Hygiene Health: Clean the mouth about 6~8 times a day. Most importantly use soft toothbrush before and after eating, and before sleep. In case of no toothbrush, use Q-tip or oral cleaning stick to clean.
• Denture may not fit well due to swollen gums. if it causes ulcers, stop wearing them to avoid infection.
• ​Please follow dentist recommendation for use of fluoride gel.
• Please cooperate with physician for use of prescribed mouthwash. Nystatin mouthwash: Can prevent and treat candidiasis. Use by medical advice and after cleaning the mouth, take 20-30c.c. to place in the mouth for 5 minutes before swallowing.
• Use the straw to suck liquid food.
• When feeling pain and could not eat, take the painkiller according to physician prescription.
• Oral gel: Apply to the ulcer or wound after cleaning. Remember to clean the mouth and apply the medicine before the next application or spray.
• The physician will prescribe mouthwash-type pain-relief liquid to rinse before eating or goggle in the mount for 10~15 minutes before cleaning the mouth in order to reduce pain and discomfort.
• If the pain-relief liquid could not reduce pain and affects eating, the patients may consider using nasogastric tube or intravenous nutrient supplement if necessary.

Nutrition Instructions

• Eat more food containing high protein such as milk, egg, fish, beans, and meat.  
• Eat more food containing vitamin B such as rice with embryo, brown rice, grain rice, whole-wheat bread, deep-green vegetables, and low-fat milk.  
• Eat more food containing vitamin C such as spinach, broccoli and other green vegetable and fruit (citrus, lemon, grapefruit, passion fruit, guava, strawberry, papaya, mango, kiwi, melon).  
• Grind the food, cut into small pieces and wet the food to facilitate swallowing.  
• Eat soft-texture food such as egg, vegetable oatmeal, milk, milk shake, pudding, sago with milk, ice cream; or cut food into smaller pieces and add more water in cooking.
• Follow the medical advice to take glutamine in order to reduce oral mucosa ulcer and speed up mucosa repair. Take it for 2~3 times a day and add each packet of 10g (1 packet) to cold water or juice. Take it before or after the meal.