PURPOSE
This study was designed to investigate whether there were differences among three oral care protocols on participants' oral health status (oral status, dry mouth, halitosis, saliva pH, microorganism growth in oral cavity) and tooth stain. The three protocols were: 1) oral solution of 4% normal saline, 2) 0.1% Chlorhexidine and 3) Tantum.
METHODS
A nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design was utilized. A total of 55 elderly patients residing at long-term care facilities(19 in the 4% normal saline group, 17 in the 0.1% Chlorhexidine group, 19 in the Tantum group) received oral care daily for four weeks. Data were analyzed using SPSS/WIN 22.0 program.
RESULTS
The halitosis (χ²=10.71, p=.005) and saliva pH (χ²=6.84, p=.033) scores were significantly improved after the oral care with 4% normal saline.
CONCLUSION
These findings indicate that if elderly patients in long-term care facilities have complaint of the discomfort of using Chlorhexidine or Tantum, 4% normal saline is as effective at the other two. This can also be cost effective as there were no differences among the protocols in oral status, dry mouth, tooth stain or microorganism growth in oral cavity.

Citations

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  Applied Sciences.2024; 15(1): 190.     CrossRef
• The impact of aromatherapy-based oral care on oral conditions, salivary pH, and halitosis in older adults with dementia: Pilot study
  Ae Kyung Chang, Bo kyoung Kim, Ah Young Kim
  Geriatric Nursing.2023; 53: 109.     CrossRef
• Comparison of the effects of two oral cares on thirst and oral status following nasal surgery: Oral swab versus non-swab using cold water gauze
  Anna Gu, Mi Yu, Youngjin Kim, Suyeon Park, Kyunghee Baek, Taehee Kim
  The Journal of Korean Academic Society of Nursing Education.2022; 28(3): 317.     CrossRef