Sore Mouth
Sore Mouth
Choose soft foods, drinks high in calories and add sauces to main meals and desserts.
A sore mouth or throat can occur as a result of cancer treatments or medications. Some mouth infections can also lead to a sore mouth. This can make chewing and swallowing food and drinks more difficult and less enjoyable.
Choose soft foods, add a sauce to main meals and desserts and choose drinks high in calories. This can help break down foods which makes chewing and swallowing them easier.
Avoid food and drinks that irritate your mouth, particularly citrus food and drinks and rough textures. Cool foods may feel refreshing but extremes of temperatures can irritate the lining of your mouth so avoiding very hot or very cold food and drinks can help.
You may wish to try some of these tips below.
Avoid rough textures and limit food and drinks that may irritate your mouth or throat |
Choose soft or soothing textures that can be easily chewed |
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Tough meats, steak, lamb |
Minced meats, fish, pasta or rice dishes, stews |
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Roast or fried potatoes |
Boiled or mashed potatoes, pasta or rice |
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Raw vegetables, carrot, lettuce, celery |
Well-cooked vegetables, boiled carrot, wilted spinach, steamed broccoli |
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Spicy foods and flavours, curry powder, curry, chilli pepper, chilli powder, chilli, paprika, cumin, turmeric, horseradish |
Add herbs and sauces to flavour foods, oregano, basil, rosemary, parsley, honey, cheese sauce, greek yoghurt |
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Vinegar, salt |
Mayonaise, salad cream |
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Crunchy crisps/nuts and seeds/pretzels |
Corn based crisps, quavers, wotsits, skips |
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Oatcakes, biscuits |
Cream crackers with cream cheese spread of dip Dip biscuits in to a hot drink to soften |
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Pastries |
Pancake, crumpet, sponge cake |
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Fruit tart |
Yoghurt, mousse, custard, rice pudding, milk jelly, trifle, ice cream or ice cream sundae |
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Citrus and acidic foods and flavours, orange, lemon, lime, pineapple, grapefruit, tomato |
Soft or ripened, skinless or tinned fruits, banana, peach, pear, stewed apple Add custard or yoghurt to fruit (the acidity from fruit can irritate an already sore mouth or throat) |
| Fruit or citrus juices |
Diluting juices Blend together yoghurt, ice cream, double cream with soft fruit to make a smoothie |
Limit fruit juices and fizzy drinks
Try non-carbonated or still diluting juices, milk or milkshakes
Mix fruit juice with water to dilute it
Sip fluids between mouthfuls of food
Try using a straw or a beaker
Sip water between mouthfuls of food and frequently throughout the day to keep you hydrated
Keep your mouth clean
Sip water between mouthfuls of food or drink to clear any residue left in your mouth.
Use a soft toothbrush and take particular care if you have ulceration.
Medication
If you have been prescribed medication to prevent or treat a sore mouth you should continue to take these as prescribed.
Check your mouth regularly and let your GP, pharmacist or specialist nurse know if you have mouth ulcers or any problems with your mouth. They can give you mouthwashes, pain relief medications and gels to heal ulcers, clear or prevent any infection and relieve pain.
Avoid smoking and limit alcohol
These are known irritants and can male a sore mouth worse
Limit salty and spicy foods
These can make a sore mouth worse
Flavour foods using herbs and creamy or cheese sauces
Choose drinks high in calories
Nourishing drinks can be just as nutritious as food but are often easier to manage. Click here for more information on drinks high in calories.
Choose soft foods
Choosing soft foods can help you get the nourishment that you need when you have a sore mouth. For more information on soft foods click here.
Add a condiment, dip or sauce to main meals and desserts
Gravy on meat dishes
Cheese sauce with cauliflower or fish
Hummous, guacamole or mayonaise with soft vegetable sticks, breadsticks or corn-based crisps i.e. quavers, wotsits, skips, chipsticks
Custard, cream, ice cream or sauce on fruit crumble, sponge cake, cheesecake or tinned fruit