Mouthing Off

Chemotherapy kills or slows cancer by interfering with cell growth processes in all rapidly growing cells. Cancer cells grow at an uncontrolled rate, even faster than healthy cells in the body (hair, nails, skin, blood, and mucus membranes) that are supposed to grow quickly. The mouth and digestive system are made of cells that normally renew themselves at a fairly swift pace, and this makes them susceptible to temporary damage by chemotherapy. 

Dysgeusia (a change in the sense of taste) is one of the side effects I am experiencing. Everything tastes like cardboard. The exact mechanism of chemotherapy-induced dysgeusia is unknown.

Taking care of my mouth is a part time job. Kat's Survival Kit tips:

• Brushing teeth & tongue often with Ultra Soft toothbrush 
• Biotene toothpaste & mouthwash (designed to help relieve oral symptoms of dry mouth)
• Very gentle/careful dental flossing 
• Baking soda rinse
• Sucking on ice during infusions
• Sipping water often