Taste Changes

Since taste buds are changing, it is important to discover what tastes you find appealing:
- Try different foods that look and smell good and fix a colorful dinner in pleasant surroundings.
- Use air freshener and fragrant candles to eliminate unpleasant odors.
- Food that is chilled may be more palatable.
- Drink lots of fluids.
- Use plastic utensils to eat and cook with.
- Try different seasonings and marinating your meat in juices, wines, salad dressings. Try barbecue sauce and sweet and sour sauces for different flavors.
- Consider drinking ginger ale or tea.
- Try chewing gum or sucking on mints or hard candies to freshen your mouth or sucking on ice chips

Tips for controlling taste changes may include:
- brush your teeth often and before and after eating
- maintain good oral hygiene
- discuss with your physician if it is ok not to eat 1-2 hours before or 3 hours after treatments
- rinse your mouth with salt water or baking soda dissolved in water to refresh your taste buds
- try to avoid cigarette smoke Since taste buds are changing, it is important to discover what tastes you find appealing:
- Try different foods that look and smell good and fix a colorful dinner in pleasant surroundings.
- Use air freshener and fragrant candles to eliminate unpleasant odors.
- Food that is chilled may be more palatable.
- Drink lots of fluids.
- Use plastic utensils to eat and cook with.
- Try different seasonings and marinating your meat in juices, wines, salad dressings. Try barbecue sauce and sweet and sour sauces for different flavors.
- Consider drinking ginger ale or tea.
- Try chewing gum or sucking on mints or hard candies to freshen your mouth or sucking on ice chips

Tips for controlling taste changes may include:
- brush your teeth often and before and after eating
- maintain good oral hygiene
- discuss with your physician if it is ok not to eat 1-2 hours before or 3 hours after treatments
- rinse your mouth with salt water or baking soda dissolved in water to refresh your taste buds
- try to avoid cigarette smoke

There is not a definitive study on what causes taste changes.

One theory is that damage to the cells in the mouth cause the taste changes. Cells in the mouth are extremely sensitive to chemotherapy.

Another theory is an association of nausea and vomiting from chemotherapy with taste may be a factor. There is not a definitive study on what causes taste changes.

One theory is that damage to the cells in the mouth cause the taste changes. Cells in the mouth are extremely sensitive to chemotherapy.

Another theory is an association of nausea and vomiting from chemotherapy with taste may be a factor.