Mouth crud

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Specializes in Home Health/PD.

Ok this is a random thread but the more I work in the hospital, the more I notice that patients don't get proper mouth care, especially the total care patients. I'm having a hard time figuring out the best way to remove this dried on mouth crud because I know it cannot be comfortable at all. Anyone have any tips on removing dried secretions from a patients mouth without hurting them too much? Thanks in advance for helpful tips :)

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Specializes in Pediatrics and geriatrics.

I always use pink toothettes to soften up the gunk. I am a big believer in oral care!! Nothing chaps my behind more then seeing a patient with dried up secretions and crud in their mouth. Plus it makes them feel better too!

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Specializes in Home Health/PD.

Thanks. I try that too but sometimes it doesn't seem like its enough. Glad I'm not the only one who hates the crud!

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Specializes in ICU.

I heart those pink mouth swabs! I have a couple LOL who are total care and their mouths get so nasty! The mouth swabs get the job done.

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I don't like mouth crud either. I'm always wiping down a face or repeating oral care on residents. Our toothetes are a green color.

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Specializes in Pediatrics and geriatrics.

You could always soak the swabs in mouthwash. I am forever wiping faces and mouths myself!! With the disabled pediatric patients I take care of, most of them are mouth breathers. That means constant gunk and crud to clean out!! Our cna's are fabulous when it comes to oral care on these little folks!!

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Specializes in Home Health/PD.

I would think mouthwash would be more drying. Maybe I just need to be a little more aggressive with the swabbies. Thanks for y'all's help!

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Specializes in CICU.

I use the pink swabs with water or mouthwash (ours is alcohol free, of course). We also have the set up that can be hooked to suction.

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Swab a little water based lubricant to soften up the crud, and sponge out with mouth swabs dipped in warm water.

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This is not the best when the pt is alert and totally aware, but sometimes after going through a dozen (blue) toothetts, I'll take a wash cloth and dig out what I can

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Specializes in critical care.
This is not the best when the pt is alert and totally aware, but sometimes after going through a dozen (blue) toothetts, I'll take a wash cloth and dig out what I can

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

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Specializes in ER.

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.

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