Mouth care is important especially in children who receive chemotherapy. It has to be done on a daily basis

Most children are able to cope up with it themselves, but some may experience severe weakness and might need help.

Look below for the procedure

Equipment required

• Tray
• Mouthwash
• Cups
• Receiver or bowl
• Paper tissue
• Spatula
• Toothbrush with paste
• Gloves
• Torch

Procedure

• Explain the procedure to the patient and the attender
• Wash hands with bactericidal soap. Put on the gloves
• Request the child to sit for this procedure.
• Do a oral assessment by inspecting the mouth, tongue, teeth, inside of the cheek, the floor of mouth and
  palate
• Enquire if the patient complains of taste changes or dry mouth or difficult in swallowing or pain
• Use a soft toothbrush and toothpaste to brush the teeth
• Hold the bristle against the teeth with bristles at 45 degree angle
• Move the bristles back and forth and circular motion. Start off with the upper set of teeth on one side, then move to the other side.
• Similarly, complete the lower set of teeth as well.
• Repeat until all the teeth have been covered
• Clean the biting surface of the teeth as well by similar strokes
• After brushing give the child a beaker of clean water to rinse and void the contents into a receiver
• Apply artificial saliva to the tongue if dry
• Clean and dry the toothbrush
• Wash hands and document in the notes