1. ORAL HYGIENE
Sumi Mathew
BSc N, MSc N,
RN,RM

2. DEFINITION
•Maintaining cleanliness
of the oral cavity is
known as the oral
hygiene.

3. “The human mouth
is a mirror of
health and disease.”

4. LEARNING OBJECTIVES
•1. Discuss the need for
Oral Hygiene .

5. LEARNING OBJECTIVES
•2. Describe the
assessment of oral
hygiene.

6. LEARNING OBJECTIVES
•3. Discuss the various
procedure for
maintaining oral
hygiene.

7. Signs of these can be
seen in the mouth
• Systemic Disease
• Bacterial and Fungal
• Infections
• Nutritional Deficiencies

8. TERMINOLOGIES
• Dental Caries - Tooth
cavities
• Periodontal disease - (gum
disease, pyorrhea) is an
inflammation of tissues
around the teeth.

9. TERMINOLOGIES
• Plaque - thin film that
sticks to teeth. It contains
saliva, microbes, and other
substances. Plaque causes
tooth decay (cavities ).

10. TERMINOLOGIES
•Tartar - Hardened plaque.
• Flossing - Dental floss is a
soft thread used to clean
between the teeth. Flossing
removes plaque and tartar.

11. Why do Oral Hygiene?
• MAINTAINS THE HEALTHY STATE OF THE
MOUTH
–Cleanses teeth of food
particles, plaque, and bacteria
–Massages the gums

12. Why do oral hygiene?
–Relieves discomfort from unpleasant
odors and tastes.
–Refreshes the mouth and gives a
sense of well-being and thus can
stimulate appetite.
–Reduces the risk for cavities (dental
caries) and periodontal disease

13. Daily Mouth Care
BENEFITS to Older Adults
•
•
•
•
Minimize medical problems
Enhance quality of life
Enhance cooperation
Enhance nursing care delivery

14. ASSESSMENT: ORAL HYGIENE
a. Frequency
• Depends on the condition of the
patient’s mouth.
• Some patient’s with dry mouth or
lips need care every 2 hours.
• Usually done twice a day or after
each meal

15. ASSESSMENT: ORAL HYGIENE
b. Assistance Needed
• Does the patient need assistance to do oral care
• *The nurse can help patients maintain good oral
hygiene by:
• 1. Teaching them correct techniques
• 2. Actually performing for weakened or disabled
•
patients

16. ASSESSMENT: ORAL HYGIENE
c. Abnormalities
• Loose or missing teeth
• Swelling and bleeding of gums
• Unusual mouth odor
• Pain or stinging in mouth structures

17. BRUSHING
• Major concerns are:
• Thoroughness in
cleansing
• Maintaining the
condition of the oral
mucosa.
• Procedure for
Conscious Patient:
• Upright position

18. ARTICLES FOR
BRUSHING
• a. Water
• b. Toothpaste
• c. Sink or small
basin
• d. Floss
• e. Mouthwash
• f. Gloves
• g. Towel

19. PROCEDURE
• Remember to:
• Knock before entering the person’s
room.
• Address the person by name.
• Introduce yourself by name and title.

20. Procedure: Assisting with
Oral Hygiene
• • 1. Assemble the needed articles.
• 2. Wash your hands and put on gloves.
• 3. Explain to the care recipient what you
are going to do.
• 4. Have the care recipient sit up or help
him/her to the sink. If they use the sink,
omit step 5

21. Procedure: Assisting with
Oral Hygiene
• 5. Spread a towel across the care
recipient’s chest.
• 6. Offer the care recipient water to rinse
his/her mouth.
• 7. Hold the basin under the care
recipient’s chin to spit the water into or
have him/her spit into the sink.

22. Procedure: Assisting with
Oral Hygiene
• 8. Put toothpaste on the brush and wet
it with water.
• 9. Allow the care recipient to brush own
teeth if able. If they cannot, brush using
a gentle motion above
the gum line and
going down the teeth.

23. Procedure: Assisting with
Oral Hygiene
• 10. Repeat until you have brushed all
the teeth. Include the insides of the
teeth and the tongue.
• 11. Offer water to rinse the mouth.
• 12. Offer mouthwash,
if desired.

24. Procedure: Assisting with
Oral Hygiene
• 13. Wipe the care recipient’s mouth and
make
comfortable.
• 14. Remove gloves and wash your hands.
• 15. Clean and disinfect the used articles.
• 16. Return equipment.

25. Oral Hygiene for
Dentures

26. •
Procedure: Oral Hygiene for
Dentures
A. DENTURE CUP
• B. SMALL BASIN
• C. TISSUES
• D. DENTURE TOOTHPASTE
• E. TOWEL
• F. MOUTHWASH
• G. DENTURE SOLUTION OR
TABLETS
• H. GLOVES

27. Procedure: Oral Hygiene for
Dentures
• 1. Assemble equipment
• 2. Wash your hands and put on gloves.
• 3. Explain to the care recipient what you are
going to do.
• 4. Spread towel across care recipient’s chest.

28. Procedure: Oral Hygiene for
Dentures
• 5. Ask care recipient to remove his/her
dentures. Have tissues in the basin. Assist
care recipient if needed.
• 6. Take dentures to sink, holding them
securely.
• 7. Place washcloth in the sink and add some
water. This will cushion the dentures if they
fall.

29. Procedure: Oral Hygiene for
Dentures
• 8. Clean dentures with toothpaste or denture
cleanser.
• 9. Rinse dentures in cool water.
• 10. Fill denture cup with denture
solution, cool water, or mouthwash and water.
Some people may use cleaning tablets.

30. Procedure: Oral Hygiene for
Dentures
• 11. Place dentures in the cup and cover.
• 12. Help the care recipient to rinse mouth.
• 13. If care recipient wishes, replace the
dentures. Ask if a denture adhesive is used.
• 14. Clean equipment and put away.
• 15. Remove gloves and wash your hands.

31. DENTURE CARE
• Clean dentures as frequently as natural
teeth
• Dentures are the patient’s personal
property and should be handled with
care because they can be easily broken.

32. DENTURE CARE
• Tips to remember:
• Use gauze squares or
washcloth to grasp front of
dentures to prevent from
slipping
• Place wash cloth or paper
towel in sink to line it while
you are cleaning the dentures
• Work close to the bottom of
the sink in case you drop them.
• Use tepid water

33. DENTURE CARE
CARE:
• Remove before going to bed – allows
gums to rest and prevents buildup of
bacteria.
• Store in a labeled container
covered with water or
denture cleaner if available.

34. Brushing: Unconscious
Patient
Safety is of utmost importance
• PREVENT ASPIRATION
1. Positioning—lateral position with head
turned to the side or side-lying. Position
back of head on a pillow so that the face
tips forward and fluid/ secretions will
flow out of the mouth, not back into the
throat.
2. Place a bulb syringe or suction machine
with suction equipment nearby.

35. Oral Hygiene:
Unconscious Patient
• KEEPING THE MOUTH OPEN
1.Never place your hand in the patient’s
mouth or open with your fingers. Oral
stimulation often causes the biting –
down reflex and serious injuries can
occur.
1.Use a padded tongue blade to open the
patients mouth and separate the upper
and lower teeth.

36. IMPORTANT
• Mouth care should be given before
and/or after meals, in the morning
and at night before the person goes
to sleep. When a person is
unconscious, they may need oral
care every two hours.

37. IMPORTANT
• Oral care keeps the mouth and
teeth clean and without odors. It
prevents cavities, infection, gum
disease and bad breath. It is a very
important part of care.

38. IMPORTANT
• If you notice any of the things below
during oral care, they must be
reported and documented:
• Sores, redness or bleeding in the
mouth, on the gums, cheeks or lips
• Pain during mouth care.

39. IMPORTANT
• Coating of the tongue or cheeks
• Broken teeth or dentures
• Bad breath

40. THANK
YOU