Sometimes, radiation therapy to the head area or side effects from chemotherapy can cause a dry throat, which may lead to infections and cracks in the mouth. In this case, we recommend the following:
The child should brush their teeth and rinse their mouth frequently
Encourage the child to drink plenty of water and other beverages, preferably using a straw
Provide food in as soft a form as possible, such as custard, jelly, pudding, rice pudding, pureed vegetables, cooked and mashed fruits, and soups
Avoid foods that stick to the roof of the mouth, like white bread and butter
Stay away from carbonated drinks or those that contain caffeine
In some cases, liquid dietary supplements may be used to help the child meet their nutritional needs