Oral care considerations during the patient’s cancer treatment

ORAL CARE PRODUCTS AND PROCEDURES

Table 1 includes the oral care products and procedures along with the evidence-based recommendations set forth by the multidisciplinary team. According to work previously published through the Oncology Nursing Society, the basic components of an oral care protocol should include assessment, patient education, tooth brushing, flossing, and oral rinses.⁶ Evidence-based oral assessment was developed using the Eilers’ Oral Assessment Guide.^24-26

Tooth brushing is essential to good oral health as it helps to prevent tooth decay, prevent gum disease (one of the leading causes of tooth loss in adults), remove tooth stains, and eliminate bad breath. Oral rinses help to decrease erythema and improve oral health by cleansing and lubricating tissues, preventing crusting, treating mucosal wounds, hydrating and irrigating mucosal tissues, soothing sore gingiva and mucosa, removing debris, and preventing accumulation of bacteria.

From the August 01, 2010 Issue of Oncology Nurse Advisor