Nutrition tips for managing a dry or sore mouth or throat

Many things can cause a sore mouth or throat including dental work, infection, medications, surgery and radiation therapy. You may find that certain foods irritate a tender mouth or throat. You will feel better if you select foods carefully and take proper care of your mouth. The following suggestions will make eating easier and will promote healing in your mouth and throat. Everyone is different. Experiment to find foods that are most soothing for you.

• Try eating soft, easy-to-swallow foods. The following soft foods are often well tolerated:

• Cook all foods until tender. Braise, stew, poach, or steam foods to keep them moist.

• Cut foods into very small pieces. If you have difficulty eating bite-size pieces, you can grind, mash, blend, strain, or puree foods. Finely chopped, ground, or pureed meats also may be added to soups or casseroles.

• For convenience, buy strained meats and other ready-made infant foods.

• Moisten meats, potatoes, vegetables, rice, noodles, and bread with:

• Dip bread, toast, and other baked goods in milk, tea, or coffee to make them easier to swallow. Add crackers and croutons to soup.

• Some foods can be thinned to the desired consistency with milk, cream, or other liquids. Such foods include:

• If water and other liquids are difficult to swallow or if you choke on them easily, try thicker liquids such as thick cream soups and malts.

• Experiment with eating foods at different temperatures. As a rule, foods served at room temperature are more comfortable to eat than hot or cold foods. But sometimes cool or cold foods such as frozen fruit-juice pops, milk shakes, ice cream, yogurt, or sherbet can be soothing.

• Be cautious about eating hot, spicy, salty, acidic, or rough-textured foods. They may be irritating to your mouth or throat. Mild juices such as peach, pear, or apricot nectar may be less irritating than other fruit juices. Fruit-flavored drinks are also soothing.

• Try to increase your intake of calories and protein by concentrating on nourishing liquids such as cream soups, milk, cocoa, milk shakes, malts, instant breakfast drinks, and commercially prepared nutrition formulas. Ask your physician or registered dietitian for advice on which supplement may be best for your needs. A vitamin-mineral supplement also may be recommended.

• Ask your physician about medications to reduce pain.

• Your dietitian can suggest recipes for soft-blended foods.

Dry mouth

Some medications may cause a dry mouth. Radiation therapy to the mouth area can decrease the ability to produce saliva, which also can cause a dry mouth. In addition to the suggestions for eating soft, moist foods, the following tips may help reduce dryness and make chewing and swallowing easier:

• Take frequent sips of liquids throughout the day. Be sure to choose nutritious liquids such as milk, chocolate milk, juices, instant breakfast drinks, soft drinks, or shakes.

• Ask your physician about "artificial saliva." These products substitute for natural saliva.

• Use ice chips and sugar-free items such as sugar-free gum, sugar-free hard candy and suckers, sugar-free frozen fruit juices and pops. They will help keep your mouth moist without promoting tooth decay.

• If your mouth is dry but not sore, try tart foods to help stimulate the flow of saliva. Examples include lemonade, sugar-free sour candies, and dill pickles.

  For more information Eating well when you don't feel well