Chewing gum

Hi Steve,

I have always used Extragum (by Wrigles I think). Tastes fine, I have spearmint. It contains xylitol which is a natural sweetener and won’t damage your teeth.

The most useful thing is that, if you get hold of the old fashioned sticks rather than the newer candy type of gum which is hard and you have to chew to get it soft, you can stick a piece on your back teeth and it helps with saliva flow, even without chewing.

It does need you to have back teeth and a bit of perseverance to start with, but it’s so useful. I stick a bit on when I go for a walk or cycle or at work behind my mask when it isn’t always  easy to sip water.

I hope you find something which makes a difference to your dry mouth. I also swear by Boots Dry mouth spray - better than anything the hospital teams or GP told me about.

Good luck

Hilary (3.5 years down the line from chemo radio)

Peppersmith. Particularly good but beware if you have significant reflux then mint exacerbates it. 
Available from Amazon and direct from manufacturers. 
Wriggleys cinnamon is a non mint alternative 

PUR do a cinnamon too

None of them are cheap but you won’t have to use it forever 

I just used Xtra Gum too, from the supermarket. It comes in tubs of green or blue and really helps get the saliva going. (And helps pick up tiny bits of debris from your teeth at the same time.  Very important post-RT )