lemmon swabs

ceecel.dee, MSN, RN · Nov 7, 2005

If I recall correctly how it was put to us..."It's like putting baby to bed with a bottle of juice."

These are not even available to us anymore.

fiestynurse · Nov 7, 2005

Lemon glycerin swabs may make your mouth feel clean but they are not recommended for oral care because glycerin can dehydrate and will make your mouth drier.

Cowboys_RN, BSN · Nov 8, 2005

My grandpa is on hospice care and has horrible dry mouth. His hospice nurse left about 20 of them for him.

K205 · Nov 8, 2005

"Toothettes" are the recommended method for oral care, and they do work well. When I have a patient who is actively dying (or close) I get a cup of ice water, and some lemon-glycerine swabs, and dip the swabs in the water. The patient is usually so thirsty, but can't handle small sips, even of thickened liquids. The swabs work wonderfully for this purpose..hope this helps!

Little Panda RN, ASN, RN · Nov 8, 2005

I recently read that they are not recommended due to the fact that they dry out the mucus membranes due to the acidity in them. And of course this is the last thing you want to do to a dehydrated patient.

Mirai Kangofu · Nov 8, 2005

If they don't use them anymore for patients who can't have their teeth brushed (comatose or extremely confused patients), then what do they use now? Blech, I tried one, and they taste like honeyed nutrasweet.

Noryn · Nov 8, 2005

I dont know exactly what the new swabs contain but the ones I use have a green sponge at the end on a white stick. I thought they contained a low concentrated form of hydrogen peroxide but again not sure. Heck the facility that I am in now still uses lemon glycerin swabs.

The other posters are correct these have fallen out of favor with most facilities because of decay issues as well as causing dryness to the mouth (which promotes decay).

K205 · Nov 8, 2005

Used alone they can be drying. That's why I dip them in ice water. They work well for the purpose of giving some "sips" to one who can't handle drinking any liquid w/out aspirating. Like I said in my previous post, toothettes(the stick w/the sponge at the end) DO work well when moistened for oral care:) .

babynurselsa, RN · Nov 9, 2005

I have often used ice water with a tiny bit of mouthwash along with toothettes to provide oral care and whet the mouth. This usually freshen the mouth a bit and feels better.

moonshadeau, ADN, BSN, MSN, RN, APN, NP, CNS · Nov 9, 2005

The new swabs contain a chlorahexidine solution (at least in our packets, not just the green swab itself). From my perspective, they don't do much for getting rid of "neuro breath" but are superior because it attaches itself to the oral mucosa providing longer oral protection against bacteria.

Bipley · Nov 9, 2005

I've been an ICU patient after a fire and lemon swabs are gross. Gahhh