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Oral Care for Mouth Sores

Alisa Joy Cooper*

Cancer treatments and radiation therapy can result in medically-induced oral mucositis (OM) which presents challenges for medical professionals of otolaryngology. Nearly 40% of patients undergoing cancer treatment experience OM, manifesting as mouth sores that may increase in severity and discomfort to compromise the quality or even jeopardize a patient’s life. Oral mucositis often leads to hospitalizations to address secondary infections or administer analgesic medications. While medications are available to treat the symptoms and complications of oral mucositis, many of these have side effects and none are able to prevent the condition from developing. As a result, the management of oral mucositis centers around a comprehensive oral hygiene regimen that includes the use of oral rinses. Several of the mouth rinses popular among cancer patients have their own side effects or limitations. One mouth rinse growing in use and popularity among cancer patients contains stabilized chlorine dioxide (SCD) and has shown no adverse side effects. This article presents the results of patient interviews conducted to determine the effectiveness of SCD products in alleviating medically-induced oral mucositis. Included are 5 case histories that reflect positive, yet diverse, experiences of cancer patients using SCD oral health products during, and after, their cancer treatments. Doctors and support staff working in the field of otolaryngology can become acquainted with the challenges of oral mucositis and offer care, education and emotional support to ease the unique burden of this segment of their patient population.