Keeping your mouth healthy during

You can do a lot to help to keep your mouth healthy during treatment. It is important to inspect your mouth daily for any signs of redness, swelling, sores, white patches or bleeding. Your nurse at the hospital can show you how to do this.

Here are some helpful hints

* Clean your teeth or dentures gently every morning and evening, as well as after each meal

* Use a soft-bristled or child's toothbrush. Toothbrush bristles can also be softened in hot water. An electric toothbrush can clean your teeth very effectively

* Replace your toothbrush frequently to prevent problems with infection

* If your toothpaste stings, or brushing your teeth makes you feel sick, try using a mouthwash (such as one teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda dissolved in a mug of warm water)

* If you have been sick, rinse out your mouth before cleaning your teeth as the acid in your vomit may damage your teeth

* If your doctor prescribes a mouthwash for you, use it regularly as prescribed to prevent your mouth becoming sore

* Sometimes, using a mouthwash over a long period of time may cause your teeth to discolour slightly. Let your doctor know if this happens to you. When you stop using the mouthwash, your teeth will return to their normal colour

* You can gently use dental tape or floss daily, but check with your doctor that the level of platelets in your blood is high enough. (A low platelet count can cause bleeding in the mouth even with very gentle flossing). You should not use a toothpick at all

* Keep your lips moist by using Vaseline, or a flavoured lip balm if you prefer

* Avoid neat spirits, tobacco, hot spices, garlic, onion, vinegar and salty food. These may irritate your mouth

* Keep your mouth and food moist. Add gravies and sauces to your food to help swallowing

* Some crunchy foods may damage your gums and should be avoided when your blood cell counts are low

* Try to drink at least one and a half litres (three pints) of fluid a day - water, tea, weak coffee, and soft drinks such as apple juice

* Avoid acidic drinks, such as orange and grapefruit juice. Warm herbal teas may be more soothing

* Let your doctor know if you have mouth ulcers, as you may need medicines to help heal the ulcers and clear any infection

* To keep your mouth fresh and moist, eat fresh pineapple chunks.