The following may help cancer patients with a dry mouth:

• Eat foods that are easy to swallow.
• Moisten food with sauce, gravy, or salad dressing.
• Eat foods and drinks that are very sweet or tart, such as lemonade, to help make more saliva.
• Chew gum or suck on hard candy, ice pops, or ice chips.
• Sip water throughout the day.
• Do not drink any type of alcohol, beer, or wine.
• Do not eat foods that can hurt your mouth (such as spicy, sour, salty, hard, or crunchy foods).
• Keep your lips moist with lip balm.
• Rinse your mouth every 1 to 2 hours. Do not use mouthwash that contains alcohol.
• Do not use tobacco products and avoid second hand smoke.
• Ask your doctor or dentist about using artificial saliva or similar products to coat, protect, and moisten your mouth and throat.