(piano music)
[Narrator] Having a clean mouth
makes a person feel more comfortable,
can help to improve appetite,
and prevent mouth sores.
Mouth care should be performed at least twice a day,
or more frequently if the person's mouth is dry,
if they're no longer able to eat or drink,
or if they're breathing through the mouth.
Wash your hands well before and after
helping someone clean their mouth.
You may also choose to wear gloves during this procedure.
The supplies you'll need are a towel,
a small basin or bowl,
a cup of water,
an ultra-soft bristle toothbrush,
and non-foaming toothpaste
or a small amount of mouth cleaning solution.
Avoid using lemon glycerin swabs
or alcohol-based mouth washes
because they're drying to the mouth.
Non-alcohol-based toothpaste and mouthwashes are available.
You can make a mouthwash solution that's not drying
and can be safely left in the mouth.
Mix a half a teaspoon of salt
with one teaspoon of baking soda in four cups of water.
If desired, you can add a drop of food-safe flavoring,
such as mint, to the solution for taste,
but the solution is not to be swallowed.
You can also use club soda as a cleaning solution.
Help to position the person
to reduce the risk of choking on any water
that may trickle down the back of the throat.
This can be done by raising the head of the bed
or positioning the person on their side.
[Nurse] Get this out of the way.
[Narrator] Place a towel under the person's chin.
If the person's able,
offer a sip of water to help moisten the mouth.
Inspect the person's mouth, the tongue,
and the sides and back of the mouth
for signs of redness, sores, or infection.
Okay, good, and lift your tongue up.
[Narrator] Thrush is a yeast infection
that's common when a person's immune system is weakened.
It commonly appears as white patches
that are difficult to remove with mouth care.
If you notice any changes or problems,
be sure to inform your healthcare provider.
These infections are often easily treated.
Apply a pea-size amount of non-foaming toothpaste.
Okay, open up.
[Narrator] And brush gently from the gumline up the teeth.
Also brush the inside of the mouth,
including the cheeks, gums, and tongue.
Have the person rinse and spit into the bowl or basin
if they're able.
Gently wipe the person's mouth.
If their lips are dry,
consider using a water-soluble lubricant,
such as OralBalance or Muco to moisten the lips.
Put a little bit of this.
[Narrator] Avoid oil-based products,
such as Vaseline and chapstick, as they're drying.
If required, help to reposition the person
into a comfortable position.
And finally, wash your hands.
If normal brushing isn't possible
or the person is unconscious,
use gauze or a cloth moistened in water
to gently clean the areas of the mouth
that are visible or easily reached.
Sometimes the person will bite or have a sucking reflex.
This is natural when a person is unconscious
and doesn't mean the person is thirsty.
Don't try to force water into a person's mouth
if they're not alert
because the person is unable to swallow and may choke.
When caring for dentures, begin by washing your hands.
Remove the dentures and clean them with a toothbrush.
Don't use very hot water or bleach
because this can be damaging.
Commercially available denture soaking products
are good to use.
If the person's gums are dry under the denture,
a product called OralBalance may help to increase comfort.
Dentures that are loose or poor-fitting
can rub on the gums and cause mouth sores.
If it's not possible to have them fitted properly,
consider leaving the dentures out of the mouth
except for eating and/or visiting.
And when you're finished, don't forget to wash your hands.
(piano music)