Bad taste

Hi sadly it  is a side effect it does get better. Are you able to tolerate sugar free gum I still chew that. It must be sugar free I use orbit win the blue tubs. Mouthwash needs to be gentle I use bioxtra and duraphat toothpaste. I think your treatment has either just started ir due to start just let the team know as well you see them every day. 
Hazel x

I'm waiting to pick up a prescription for Dilflam and the toothpaste you mentioned. I'm seeing my dietitian after my first dose of RT on Tuesday, so I'll mention it to her then. I'll give the gum a try, thank you  

For me everything tasted like salt and I had a strong metallic taste for a while up till about 3 weeks after treatment ended. Now 4-5 weeks on from end of treatment and I am starting to get some taste back. Mucous has reduced almost completely as long as I keep well hydrated. Still can’t taste sweet things at all but mild curry soup and sausages with gravy taste almost right. I did read that using plastic utensils might help. I can recommend McDonald’s banana milkshake. Regular swilling with salt water and occasionally bicarbonate of soda may also help as well as gently scraping the top of your tongue with a soft toothbrush. I use duraphat toothpaste and am careful to use interdental brushes. Also using stuff to alleviate dry mouth. Good luck and keep at it. 

Hi same as Arch

my operations were July and August 2021 and even now my mouth at times tastes terribly of salt and metalalic . I was told to stop using Diflam as it was too harsh, apparently I was only meant to use it whilst my throat etc was healing. I use a milder one now and a tongue scraper after cleaning my teeth. The bad taste has improved, but not totally gone away. I didn’t have radiotherapy or chemotherapy so wasn’t the side of effects of treatment, but did have some of  the base of my tongue removed. My tongue can still feel sore some days, I was told it can be 18 months to 2 years for improvement. I also gargle with salt water . It does get better but takes time 

Hi Cat - my mouth is not dissimilar - rarely feels "normal" and mostly metallic and rough/tingly/swollen (delete as required). I have the antiseptic, diflam and duraphat and not noticed much of a change. Still only 2.5 months post op so perhaps to be expected?  

Hi Gene. How often do you use Duraphat? I couldn’t use it at all for two years as it made my mouth sore. I got by with Oranurse which has no SLS. Maybe you could use the Duraphat just one a day at bedtime for a while. Make up for the reduction in fluoride by having a varnish every three months. 

Hi Dani - dentist stated three times a day! Tbh the mouth was like that before the change in toothpaste so presumption is the flap / mouth changes are the root cause with the 'dema adding to the problem (hopefully temporarily).

Not so keen on the mouth wash, i'm finding salt water rinses better, i use sea salt as it's not bitter like normal table salt.

I was told the tooth paste was to help strengthen my teeth for the RT. I prefer it to ordinary tooth paste ! but like you said it doesn't help the bad taste.

Yes I think the duraphat is all about strengthening/protecting teeth. Hospital has not offered a follow up with their dental team but I will ask questions at next visit as I’d like to know if I can get bridges put in to fill in the gaps they’ve left taking teeth out as I keep finding lunch in them an hour after I’ve eaten it  

Arch said:

Yes I think the duraphat is all about strengthening/protecting teeth.

Spot on but you can get round it if the toothpaste makes your mouth sore by having a fluoride varnish. I use Duraphat now twice a day and have a varnish every three months.