Does radiotherapy completely destroy saliva glands

Hi Alfredo. The answer is unlikely. 
Most radiotherapy spares at least one parotid gland ( under your ears) your submandibular ones are probably permanently done in. You also have lots of tiny glands dotted about your mouth and these seem to be more resistant to RT damage. Your mouth has had a huge shock and takes time to recover. 
Try stimulating your glands with sugar free gum. You might be pleasantly surprised. 
I had Auricular acupuncture which helped kick start mine. There are a couple of entries about that in my blog. 
Tasting the first mouthful only is dead common but it does get better. It was a year before I could confidently taste my food anywhere near properly. Improvements still continue to this day. 
Don’t  despair. You’ll get there. 

Hello Dani

Thank you for replying to my post

Your explanation is encouraging and I will certainly try the chewing gum

Best wishes 

Alfredo

Hi I can only echo what Dani has said I am over 4 years post treatment for tonsil cancer with several affected lymph nodes.I am still getting small improvements even now. Todays my hubby birthday and I’ve eaten a full 3 course meal which back in the early days I would have never thought possible. I’ve also completed a 8mike hill walk today and no longer have ti constantly drink water to enable me to do it. I’ve drunk no more than I would have prior to treatment. My mouth now most  of day feels like it did  pre treatment. I honestly thought it never would. So jut give it time it’s early days for you. We are all different and hopefully you won’t be as long  as I have been. I also had auricular acupuncture and chew sugar free gum 
Hazel x

Alfredo said:

I am adding lots of salt and sugar and frying things to help create some taste.Normally these would be considered unhealthy.

Try herbs and spices instead. You can make a spicy curry that has no heat using  spices like coriander cumin garlic and adding coconut milk and lots of vegetables. You can slow cook meat, especially lamb with extra gravy to help it down. Sweet potatoes are better than ordinary spuds. Try taking the tiniest sip of warm water or tea with each mouthful to act as a sort of proxy saliva to help you chew. 

According to my surgeon, when I was discussing the (dis)benefits of surgery, "radiotherapy damages nerves, saliva etc, but it tends to recover.  Surgery, on the other hand, tends to be a one-way journey and what is cut remains cut".   It may take time and stimulation for it to recover but hopefully it will.

Hi try substitutes for sugar natural honey from  a local beekeeper if possible  or pure vanilla extract .Remember we need to take extra care with our teeth so brush 30 minutes after eating especially sweet thjngs gs. Use duraphat toothpaste and get yiur dentist ti do a fluoride varnish in your teeth every 3 months. I’m one of the unlucky ones I can’t tolerate any spices such as chilli but do a mean aromatic curry using cumin coriander,cinnamon bark and coconut milk . cinnamon is also useful in sweet thjngs to add taste. 
Hazel x

Hello Hazel

Thank you for replying to my questions and relating your experience 

I will look into the acupuncture treatment in due course 

At the moment I have lots of hospital appointments for things like Dentistry and other side effects of the Radiotherapy 

 Congratulations on your achievements since your treatment 

Best wishes 

Alfredo 

Hello Peter

Thank you for your reply

Your surgeon's words are something I had never thought of and make sense to me

You ,like Dani and Hazel ,have given me hope

Best wishes 

Alfredo 

Hello Dani

Thank you for your tips on ingredients 

I have a 70s make slow cooker and will definitely try the lamb casserole which is something I used to Cook before my treatment 

• At lunch today I tried a few sips of warm water before and during eating and found it more agreeable than cold water

Best wishes Alfredo