This page is for people who are at risk of developing mouth problems such as dry mouth, thrush infection of the mouth (oral thrush), and mouth ulcers. This includes people who are unwell with serious illness, or who are having chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Good mouth care can prevent some problems from developing, or prevent minor mouth problems from getting worse.
Routine mouth care
If possible, do the following either yourself or with the help of a carer.
- Brush your teeth twice a day with a soft toothbrush and fluoride-containing toothpaste.
- Rinse your mouth after meals and at night. Use water or 0.9% sodium chloride solution (saline or salt water). You can make a fresh sodium chloride solution for each rinse by dissolving half a teaspoon of salt in 250 ml fresh water. Use cool or warm water, whatever your prefer.
- Remove any debris that you can see in your mouth or on your tongue by gentle brushing with a soft toothbrush. If possible, do this regularly but mainly after meals and at bedtime. Foam sticks are an alternative if gentle brushing with a soft toothbrush causes pain or bleeding.
- Chewing pineapple may also help to clean your mouth. Pineapple contains ananase which is an enzyme (chemical) which may help to break down debris in the mouth. You can use fresh pineapple or unsweetened tinned pineapple.
- Remove dentures at night. Clean dentures with a soft toothbrush and toothpaste. Soak overnight in a denture solution containing sodium hypochlorite. Rinse before use the next day. (Soak metal dentures in chlorhexidine solution.)
If you have a high risk of developing mouth problems (for example, if you have radiotherapy to the head or neck), it is best to increase the frequency of the measures above. For example, rinse your mouth every 1-2 hours.
More about mouthwashes
- Water or sodium chloride solution (described above) are the most commonly used mouthwashes. They are soothing, do no harm, and are safe to use as often as you like.
- Chlorhexidine mouthwash is sometimes advised if you are at risk of mouth infection. However, you should not normally use this more than twice a day. It contains alcohol which may sting, especially if your mouth is inflamed. If you do use this twice a day, you can always use water or sodium chloride mouthwashes as often as you like in between.
- Other mouthwashes such as ascorbic acid solution, hydrogen peroxide mouthwash or sodium bicarbonate mouthwash may be advised by a doctor or nurse in certain circumstances.
- It is best not to use glycerine or lemon mouthwashes. They often increase the sensation of a dry mouth.
©EMIS and PIP 2006 Updated: June 2006 PRODIGY Validated
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