I. Purpose

1. To prevent bacterial infection.
2. To prevent formation of sores.
3. To promote cleanliness, comfort and health.
4. To enable the patient to articulate distinctly thus requiring less effort make himself understood.

II. When to wash the Mouth

1. After waking up in the morning.
2. After meals.
3. At bed time.
4. In accordance with doctor’s order.

III. Mouth Wash Commonly Used

1. Listerine with water.
2. Beric acid solution 2%.
3. Antiseptic solution—1 tbsp. to a glass of water.
4. Dobells solution—1 tbsp. to a glass of water
5. Hydrogen peroxide—1 tbsp. to a glass of water.
6. Potassium chlorate S grins to every 1 Oz. of water.
7. NSS or 1 tsp. table sale to a glass of water.
8. Equal parts of sodium bicarbonate 10% solution and sodium chloride solution.
9. Potassium permanganate—1:10, 000 units.

Note: Many patient with artificial dentures are sensitive about them, so be careful to guard against offending them in any way.

IV. Equipment

• Tooth brush
• Dentrifice
• Kidney basin
• Towel
• Mouth wash solution
• Special mouth care tray with the following:
• Cotton applicators
• Dressing sponges
• Tongue depressor
• Mineral Oil or vaseline
• Paper bag
• Drinking Glass tube
• Asepto syringe or irrigating bulb

V. Procedure

A. With patient who is able to carry out oral hygiene procedure:

1. Place the patient in the sitting position with the kidney basin before him on the table. 11 ambulatory, he will take his toilet articles along with him to the bathroom.
2. Arrange articles conveniently for us~ and instruct him.
3. Remove equipment promptly when finished.

B. With patient requiring assistance:

1. Wash your hands, tell the patient what you are going to do.
2. Turn the patient on his side with his face along the pillow and her head near the edge of the bed in upright position if possible: Place towel and kidney basin under the patient’s chin.
3. Wet brush and apply dentifrice.
4. Offer water or mouth wash to patient to rinse his mouth.
5. Have patient separate teeth or open mouth so that the teeth are accessible.
6. Brush upper, teeth from gums down over teeth. Brush lower teeth from gums up over the teeth. Brush upper and lower lingual surface. Brush tongue from back forward.
7. Rinse brush frequently while working.
8. Offer mouth wash or water and let him rinse his mouth well holding kidney basin under his chain.
9. Make patient comfortable and take equipment away.

C. With patient comfortable unable to care for mouth and teeth:

1. Turn patient’s head to one side near the edge of the bed.
2. Place towel under patient’s mouth and chin and put kidney basin place to catch rinsing water.
3. Moisten applicator with mouth wash and sponge all surface of mouth and teeth. Change applicator as often as necessary. Insert tongue depressor between teeth to keep mouth open as necessary.
4. Clean tongue if coated with dressing wrapped in a tongue depressor and dipped in mouth wash solution.
5. Have patient rinse mouth by drawing some of the solution through drinking tube or by irrigating with the bulb syringe. Rinse well directing solution to side or mouth.
6. Wipe lips well. If cracked or dry apply mineral oil or vaseline (Lemon juice may be added to the glycerine)
7. Make patient comfortable and remove equipments.

D. With patient with artificial dentures:

1. Have patient remove dentures and put in a kidney basin.
2. Bring to lavatory, and brush them using a special brush with polydant or any dentifice
3. Rinse well under running and table to patient.
4. Brush gums and tongue with ordinary toothbrush. Have patient rinse his mouth and have or assist her place the dentures.

VI. After Care of Equipments

1. Rinse toothbrush and shake water off. Replace it in the bedside table.
2. Fold towel and hang at head part of the bed or towel rack.
3. Empty, wash and dry kidney basin and glass return to bedside table.
4. Make mouth care tray to lavatory. Clean and replace needed articles. Put back tray in cabinet.