Published
We had them at our facility when I worked as an LNA. Most often we used mouthwash cut with water and lip balm instead.
I can't recall seeing sores on those who had the lemon swabs though. That is something I'll keep an eye out for when I'm back on the floor.
How long/often were they used?
We use them at my ltc facility. I have used them on many pts during end of life care and can't say I've ever seen sores. I do alternate them with plain swabs with mouthwash diluted in water and we have a mouth moisturizer paste I use a lot of as well in those situations. I will mention it to my infection control nurse and manager.
If you can find the study it would be greatly appreciated.
I had to use them once when I was in the hospital, and they were awful---they actually made my mouth more dry. The "toothettes" dunked in cool water were much more refreshing to me. So whenever I had a choice, I used those for oral care on my patients rather than the lemon/glycerine swabs, unless of course the patient preferred the latter.
kay274
3 Posts
In 1988 a colleague and I conducted a small research study on the use of glycerin and lemon mouthsticks. These were used for poorly and dying people. We noticed that these people were developing sores and blisters on the lips and mucosa in the mouth. The glyerin part gave the appearance of a moistened mouth, but lips were just made greasy. Like a sweety whose catch phrase was 'made to make your mouth water' the lemon part certainly did this, to the point that the salivary glands were exhausted. They were 'banned' at our local hospital and mouthcare practice changed to water/fresh pineapple juice applied with a baby soft toothbrush and lip salve for the lips.
Working in education and development I spied a box in a retirement home, being ordered and used for a resident at the end of life. I was called to look at her very saw mouth, lo and behold....why are these things back!!!