Mouth Care Interventions
Thirst and not drinking is not distressing but a dry mouth is irritating and can cause discomfort.
Mouth cares should be started early and explained to the resident, their families and all care staff on what to do.
Here's a number of simple and easy interventions. Commercial products will need to be prescribed and may not be subsidised.
Intervention | Frequency & Administration | Reason to start |
Water 2.5-5ml using a spoon | 0.5-1 hourly Place into mouth or onto tongue to absorb | Suitable for all people with a dry mouth and the unconscious patients. |
Plain or Mint Ice Chips (mix 20ml water & 5ml mint flavour or essence, divide into 12 ice cubes and freeze) | 2-4 hourly Sit crushed cube in mouth or on tongue | Suitable for all people with a dry mouth and the unconscious patients. |
Oil spray (50/50 water mix)
| 1-2 hourly Shake well & spray into mouth on cheeks and tongue as tolerated | Suitable for all people with a dry mouth and the unconscious patients. |
Lip Care
| 0.5-1 hourly Apply to lips frequently | Suitable for all people with a dry mouth and the unconscious patients. |
Swabs or sponges
| At least three daily For cleaning the mouth or removing sputum. | Suitable for all people with a dry mouth and the unconscious patients. |
Glycerol 17% oral gel
(will need to be prescribed) | 2-3 hourly Spray into mouth on cheeks and tongue as tolerated | Suitable for all people with a dry mouth and the unconscious patients. |
Pilocarpine 5mg (6 drops) or 5mg dispersible tablet (will need to be prescribed) | TDS or 8 hourly | Avoid if secretions present, can be given buccal or crushed. |
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