Mouth crud - Page 2

Just thinking about this made me dry heave! ::shudder::

Toothettes are great for moistening a mouth, but they are so soft, there's no friction to get gunk out. I've done the washcloth thing, but there has to be a better way.

We have these toothbrushes that attach to the wall suction. They are soft plastic. They work great for those at risk for aspirating secretions and oral care products! They are made by Kimberly Clark.

Mouth crud...I HATE mouth crud. The only other substance that frustrates me more is the soap scum film on my shower door. What exactly happens to bodily secretions that causes them to morph into an indestructible film? So frustrating.

I use a variety of methods to attack it. For around the mouth I apply a liberal amount of water based lubricant and allow it to soak on for a little while. I then use either 4x4's or a washcloth soaked in warm water and gently wipe. Repeat multiple times per shift until all the globs of gunk are gone.

For inside the mouth I use liberal amounts of Peridex and warm water. I start with warm water on a toothette and just gently wipe the areas that are the most filmy trying to soften it up. I then use the peridex and a yankur. Repeat multiple times per shift.

My patients are mostly sedated so this allows me to scrub vigorously. Just remember to be gentle and never pull anything off you have to kind of soak it off.

I once removed a completely intact film from a patient's mouth that looked like a mold of the roof of his mouth. Took me almost all shift. It was oddly satisfying. Sometimes I wonder about myself lol.

I am so jealous!!!! I want these!!!!!

These worked well while my father was in the hospital. He was intubated and he had lots of mouth junk. It removed most of the nasty stuff and prevented him from aspirating on the liquids.

I come from ICU and most of our patients had beautiful mouths. We had to use cholrexidine swabs every 4 hours for intubated patients and q8h for non-intubated patients. It worked wonders.

I believe this is also becoming standard of care for decreasing the risk of HAP-- hospital-acquired pneumonia. Decreases the bacterial load in the oropharynx so fewer pathogens in the inevitable bits that slip down the side of the tube (balloon or no balloon).

mix cholrexidine and hydrogen peroxide....does wonders.

Chlorahexidine, toothettes, Vaseline to the lips. Always. If they have teeth and have the capability I will help them brush plus rinse with non alcoholic (that sounds weird) mouthwash. Hate smelly icky mouths.