The Mouth: This is where the Nutrition Power "eating lifestyle" begins. And there’s a really big need for Nutrition Power tips and encouragements in this particular body part. Lots of HIV-related problems happen in the mouth. One is herpes. Others include non-herpes ulcerations, cold sores, Kaposi’s Sarcoma (KS), gingivitis, tooth loss, bleeding gums, taste changes, and bad breath. Candida can also affect the mouth; then it’s called Thrush. Similar in appearance, but relatively harmless, is oral hairy leukoplakia (HL). According to the dentists I’ve interviewed, you can often just scrape HL patches away, but call your own dentist just to be sure of safety -- there could be other concerns that need individualized attention.

The Lips: First, if you have sores on your lips, keep them as dry as possible. Since there are so many over-the-counter remedies for these, ask your pharmacist for a recommendation -- some of these products may not be such a good idea. Meanwhile, try cleaning your lips with a cotton ball or swab, then blot them dry with a tissue; sort of like an air kiss. Add to your list of healthcare questions a reminder to get advice on a good lip remedy.

Nutritionally speaking, high-level attention to mouth care is incredibly important. After all, it is the first place of origin for eating events. Without enough of these, weight loss can happen and that should not be allowed, according to Nutrition Power principles. Make the time and effort to care for this valuable anatomical accessory -- it’s even useful for other things than just eating. How’s yours?

Nutrition Steps In: To take nutrition truly to the beginning, here are some tips on mouth care that may benefit your own mouth function and related digestive activities. For routine mouth care, make a solution of "normal saline." It’s simple: Mix 1 teaspoon of salt into one quart of "safe-water" and keep the solution handy. If the salt in a saline solution causes pain, use a tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide per quart; don’t swallow. Drinking peroxide is not recommended! Whichever one is your solution, this Nutrition Power installment will use the term "saline solution" -- if necessary, adjust your bifocals to read "peroxide solution." Use your saline solution effectively, rinse out your mouth before and after eating. And any other time you can -- it simply cannot be overdone!

It’s time to get a soft toothbrush; gently brush your teeth, gums, and tongue surface. If you’re a flosser, don’t stop! If you’re not a flosser, it’s a really good mouth-tip to start. Flossing can be very useful -- had any corn-on-the-cob recently? If flossing should happen to cause pain or bleeding, get a dental checkup. Consider the pain to be your "wake-up call" that a potential mouth emergency may be developing and get help. Your nutrition could drop if you lose your teeth!

Try using the soft toothbrush differently. Get it nice and hot under running water to soften the bristles, then try brushing. If this fails, dip a cotton swab into your saline solution. Rub this gently and thoroughly over your teeth, gums, tongue and roof of your mouth. You should probably also avoid flossing if pain and/or bleeding are bothersome. Avoid really hot foods, and dry foods like toast. Instead, eat cool, soft foods like puddings and custards, yogurt and cottage cheese, etc. Dip dry foods into sauces, gravies, or dips. And keep on rinsing your mouth with the saline solution as often as you can.

If you’re currently having mouth sores or other oral pain, think cold! Sometimes, really cold mouth infusions will help with mouth pain. Try using well-chilled "meal-in-a-can" drinks or instant breakfast. Try sorbets, ice pops, ice chips, or just drinking "safe" ice water. Carbonated drinks may hurt, but if they don’t bother you, don’t hesitate to enjoy them. I’ve even heard that they might help to heal mouth irritations -- even fizz drinks like Alka Seltzer may have curative properties. Try it and decide for yourself.

Spices will probably hurt sores so you may want to avoid them. Also, you may need to avoid commercial mouthwashes -- some are really strong-tasting, which can make pain meaner, and they may also contain alcohol. If you’re on the wagon, read labels and avoid the sobriety-breaker mouth washes too. If the bottle says it kills bacteria, that’s nice, but it also may irritate sensitive gums. Quality-of-life advocate that I am, I have used these bactericide mouthwashes in the "tough love" style because I still think preventing infections is better than getting them. Decide for yourself how much pain you’re willing to work through. Maybe the "no pain, no gain" philosophy could be useful here. After all, those sores could lead to high bacterial loads that an HIV-weakened immune system may be unable to control.

If you have a dry mouth, often caused by medications or infections, keep rinsing before and after with saline solution. The lifestyle amendment for a remedy is to carry your own fluids -- everywhere. I’m personally always attached to fluids, hydrating my drug-related dry mouth. Sometimes, sucking mints, life savers, and chewing gum can come in handy -- like when you really can’t get away with being physically attached to fluid. I’ve had this experience in mall-type shopping. If you use candies/gums with sugar, be prepared for a dental cavity. If you use "sugarless" varieties, avoid those sweetened with sorbitol -- they could give you diarrhea.

Sometimes HIV-related medical treatments interfere with parts of other essential systems of the body. For example, actions of HIV itself, medications, or infections can cause losses of intestinal function. Antibiotics, for example, are well-known to impair essential gut-based physiological duties. As an example, we nutritionists tend to "rely" on the intestines to make vitamin K and Biotin, a B-complex vitamin. But some antibiotics could compromise the gut's ability in this department.

We need vitamin K for its role as a major blood-clotting factor. How’s your bleeding time -- any paper cuts lately? The recommended dietary allowance is either 65 or 80 mcg, depending on your gender. Vitamin K is essentially non-toxic, and a typical supplement dose is 100 mcg. Also, it’s dirt cheap. Our best food sources are green leafy vegetables. By the way, excess vitamin E, fish oil, aspirin, and other pain relievers may also increase bleeding time and vitamin K may help with that too.

Biotin is also supposed to be made in the gut, and it’s main role in life seems to be to make us look good -- it’s amazing for hair, nails, and skin. Like vitamin K, Biotin is non-toxic and may even be cheaper. There is no RDA for Biotin, and supplements are commonly found at 1,000 mcg. Food sources are starches, grains, fruits and vegetables. And the skin that biotin protects -- our complexions, healthy cuticles, and our gums. Without these supportive structures our teeth would be worthless. After all, aren’t we supposed to chew our food? Also, a lot of the mouth sores and other painful annoyances that happen to the lining of the mouth might benefit by Biotin. Works for me!

There’s a national movement underway to completely revamp the human digestive system. It’s called food-inhaling and is used a lot by ex-smokers. I’ve seen a 3-cup plate of pasta disappear within 5 minutes. This is Mouth Abuse. No, it’s actually Intestine Abuse. Let me explain: What the mouth does not do, the intestines will have to. We have teeth for a reason. They should be employed as the instruments of grinding and fragmentizing they were intended to be. They should be allowed ample time to accomplish this task. I keep on saying it, and it’s still best: count your chews; if you’re not to thirty, you’re not done.

I’m personally a privileged owner of 27 of the best teeth money can buy, and I use them as they were meant to be; I chew my food -- very well! Even mashed potatoes, ice cream and tapioca pudding. Remember, this is why we have teeth. And I never have gas, flatulence, or embarrassing elevator moments. Why? Well, either I’m blessed with a great genetic body aroma control agent, or chewing well prevents personal gas and flatulence. So don’t fart, chew!

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First do no harm. If this advice is, or seems to be connected to adverse mouth-health consequences, contact your dentist, physician, nutritionist, or all three.

Nutrition Power is a Registered Trademark of Health and Nutrition Awareness. Copyright 1995, Jennifer Jensen, MS, MBA, RD.

All Rights Reserved.

Other versions of this article have appeared with permission in Being Alive Newsletter, and other newsletters.