If you’re taking tamoxifen (Soltamox), you may experience unexpected dental side effects, like one MyBCTeam member who was surprised to find that their mouth was consistently dry. “I’ve only taken two doses of tamoxifen, and now I have a super dry mouth and throat!” they wrote. “It’s painful.”

Another member replied, “Yes! I finished last August, and I still struggle with dry mouth and eyes.”

Although dry mouth isn’t typically listed among the possible or common tamoxifen side effects, a number of people with breast cancer report developing it. If you’re experiencing dry mouth (technically called xerostomia) while taking tamoxifen, it’s important to learn to manage it.

🗳️ Have you noticed dry mouth since you started taking tamoxifen for breast cancer?

Yes, I began noticing dry mouth after starting tamoxifen.

Yes, but I had dry mouth before I started taking tamoxifen.

No, I haven’t noticed dry mouth since starting tamoxifen.

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Keeping your mouth moist is important for more than comfort. Controlling dry mouth from tamoxifen can also help you avoid dental problems like cavities, gum disease, and even tooth loss.

How To Manage Symptoms of Dry Mouth

A wide variety of strategies can provide oral dryness relief. Some methods may be more helpful than others. You may need to try more than one before you find a routine that works for you.

Taking good care of your mouth can address dry mouth and help prevent additional dental problems, such as cavities. Brush your teeth two to three times a day using a soft toothbrush. Floss once a day — or twice if your gums can tolerate it.

Use toothpaste with fluoride or rinse your mouth with a fluoride mouthwash. This can help people with a dry mouth have better oral health and lower their risk of dental problems, like cavities or tooth decay.

Drinking water at regular intervals can help keep your mouth moist even when your saliva production is down. You can sip from your favorite water bottle or even spray water into your mouth.

The key is to keep taking in water, making sure to moisturize the entire inside of your mouth as often as possible. You may need to swish the water around to hit all the dry spots.

“Sometimes I’m up four or five times at night for a drink,” one MyBCTeam member shared.

“Sometimes I’m up four or five times at night for a drink.”

— A MyBCTeam member

Regularly chewing sugarless gum or sucking on sugar-free candy can help keep your mouth properly hydrated by stimulating saliva production.

At least one MyBCTeam member found that a gum specifically formulated for dry mouth helped the most. “I used Act Dry Mouth gum,” they wrote. “It keeps you salivating for quite a while.”

You can also ask your dentist or cancer care team for product recommendations.

A variety of rinse options can help hydrate your mouth. Some MyBCTeam members report using Biotène, an over-the-counter rinse specifically formulated to help people with dry mouth. “I use Biotène spray and gel at night and carry the spray with me,” one member said.

“I use Biotène spray and gel at night and carry the spray with me.”

— A MyBCTeam member

Another added, “Biotène gel is really good too. I use it at night and have no problems. You just put it on your tongue — it melts, then move it around your mouth. It’s my favorite.”

You can also make your own mouth rinse using salt or baking soda. Recipes vary, and you may need to experiment to find what works for you. You might want to try an at-home solution before purchasing a product. Avoid over-the-counter mouthwashes that contain alcohol, which can be drying.

Running a cool mist humidifier at night can bring more moisture into your mouth and airways. This can ease mouth dryness overnight, particularly if you breathe through your mouth.

Moister air may also help keep your throat and nasal passages healthier, as they can dry out during treatment too. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning your humidifier to avoid growth of bacteria.

A number of dietary changes could help improve your dry mouth. They might not all be effective for you, but you may find one or two that make a big difference. You might try to:

• Cut back on salty or spicy foods.
• Drink fewer alcoholic and caffeinated beverages.
• Drastically lower your sugar intake.
• Eat soft, smooth foods and moisten others with broth, sauces, or yogurt.

These strategies can help reduce irritation and make eating easier when your mouth is dry.

How you eat can also make dry mouth easier to manage. Try drinking from a straw and thoroughly chewing each bite of food. These seemingly small changes might make a big difference in how dry or moist your mouth feels.

You don’t have to live with dry mouth from tamoxifen. If you’ve tried all the above solutions without success or you need help with severe dry mouth while you try out lifestyle changes, talk to your dentist or your cancer care team.

“My dentist gave me several products for dry mouth,” one MyBCTeam member noted.

Your doctor or dentist may suggest or even prescribe a medication to stimulate saliva production or recommend saliva substitutes or artificial saliva. Many rinses, sprays, gels, and lozenges designed to help with dry mouth are available over the counter. Some products are available only by prescription.

Join the Conversation

On MyBCTeam, people share their experiences with breast cancer, get advice, and find support from others who understand.

What’s helped with dry mouth while taking tamoxifen? Let others know in the comments below.