Tonsil cancer

Hi Lolaskola

Recovery takes time, plenty of water needed, hydration spray helps, 17 months after chemoradio for T2N1M0 Tonsil cancer and I still have a dry mouth, goes with the territory for most ....Biotene gel helps....others swear by Xylimelts

Peter 

Lolaskola said:

My partner has had radiotherapy for his tonsil cancer, his mouth has no saliva at all

Hi Lolaskola 

How long has your partner been out of treatment? They say you turn a corner at 12 weeks. This is right but it's still a shallow corner. I wasn't happy with my progress till I was six months out and even then I knew I had a way to go. A small pocket water spray is more effective at keeping a mouth moist than sipping water. That way you don't wash away whatever saliva there is there. The mouth is full of minor salivary glands dotted around and these do recover. Chewing gum is a good stimulant. You can get PUR from Amazon that comes in fruit flavours if mint is too aggressive.

I have Saliveze capsules that I use when I can't chew gum and they work quite well. I get them on prescription.

Even five years later I sleep with a xylimelt tucked into my cheek and that helps stop my mouth drying out.

He can explore Auricular acupuncture. I tried that and it did kick start my saliva. There are a couple of entries in my blog linked below

I hope some of this may be of some use 

As Peter and Dani have said I use all those tricks to make my mouth more comfortable, with the exception of acupuncture.  I will add that when eating I have found a warm milky tea or a milky coffee act as a good replacement saliva for me.  Just watch the tannin in tea etc.  That really does dry out the mouth.  The best tea for just drinking I have found is white tea (no milk).  That is the least processed, but still tastes like tea, and has minimal tannin and caffine.  However it is very expensive!

Hi  I am 6 years post treatment it’s a slow process regaining saliva but now during daytime I’m pretty good mightier I still use 1/2 xyimelts to stop my mouth drying up in night. It’s early day s fir your partner but as Dani says try a small spray bottle to moisten the mouth but of course keep him fully hydrated. 
blog below got more info 

Hazel x