Understanding Hydration and Xerostomia After Head and Neck Cancer

As part of Challenge 440, participants are taking on the SIP challenge to raise awareness about the impact Head and Neck Cancer treatment can have on dry mouth, speech and hydration.

It's important to take a deeper dive into a challenge that many people face daily: dry mouth, also known as xerostomia. This issue can arise as a result of radiation therapy affecting the salivary glands, making it harder to produce saliva, which is crucial for speech, digestion, and overall oral health. While this may sound like a simple inconvenience, for many, it can feel like an overwhelming and constant battle. Let's explore what living with xerostomia after HNC treatment is like and why hydration is so essential.

The Struggle of Xerostomia: What It Feels Like

Xerostomia is a condition characterised by a dry mouth due to insufficient saliva production. It’s a common side effect for individuals who have undergone treatment for head and neck cancer, particularly radiation therapy. Saliva plays a vital role in keeping your mouth comfortable and healthy. It aids in speaking, swallowing, and digesting food, and helps protect your teeth from decay. When the salivary glands are damaged, those tasks become more difficult, and people living with xerostomia often find themselves carrying a water bottle wherever they go, sipping frequently just to keep their mouth moist.

Radiation therapy for Head and Neck Cancer can permanently damage the salivary glands, leading to reduced saliva production long after the treatment ends. Even though various treatments and saliva substitutes can help alleviate symptoms, the reality is that living with dry mouth often becomes an ongoing part of daily life.

This week’s Challenge 440 hydration challenge is a chance to step into the shoes of those facing this reality every day. By committing to drink 2.5 liters of water per day, participants experience a small fraction of the struggle people with xerostomia do. While it may seem like a small change, the daily necessity of staying hydrated can bring a greater understanding of how vital saliva is to basic functions we often take for granted.

Why hydration matters

Staying hydrated is one of the most effective ways to combat the symptoms of dry mouth. Water is essential for maintaining moisture in the mouth and helping to stimulate saliva production. However, for many, even drinking water constantly may not be enough to fully alleviate the dryness, and other strategies, like using saliva substitutes or adjusting diet, become necessary.

Dehydration can make symptoms worse, so it's important to consistently hydrate and use additional methods to manage xerostomia.

Learn more about oral health and head and neck cancer