Oral care is an important nursing activity that helps protect patients' oral health and allows for quicker recovery. For ventilated patients in the ICU, improving oral hygiene through regular mouth care can reduce infections like ventilator-associated pneumonia and lower mortality. Several solutions are used for mouth care in the ICU, including chlorhexidine and other antiseptics. Proper mouth care procedures for unconscious patients involve cleaning the mouth, teeth, and gums with a toothbrush and suctioning secretions while keeping the patient in a safe position.

2. IMPORTANCE OF MOUTH CARE ….
What is the importance of oral care in nursing?
Importance of Oral Care in Nursing: Oral care or mouth care is one of the most basic
nursing activities. Keeping the mouth and teeth clean will protect a patient's oral
health and allow quicker recovery by preventing infections. The patient is
unconscious, oral care will be needed more frequently
Nurse-administered oral hygiene is considered to be an important
intervention in acutely ill hospitalized patients who cannot provide their own
oral care. Oral care provides patients' comfort, reduces dental plaque
and mucosal inflammation, and promotes oral health

3. IMPORTANCE OF GOODORAL HYGIENE IN VENTILATEDPATIENTS..
Why is oral care important for ventilated patients?
The bacteria in dental plaque cause ventilator-
associated pneumonia (VAP) Randomized clinical
trials demonstrated that improving oral
hygiene reduces VAP and mortality

4. SOLUTION USED FOR MOUTH CARE ..
What is the solution used for oral hygiene in ICU?
Several other oral care solutions are used in ICU in addition
to Chlorhexidine( CHX). These include antiseptics such as
povidone iodine, Listerine and triclosan as well as non-
antiseptics such as saline and bicarbonate.

5. ORAL CARE PROCEDURE.. SUPPLIES
1. Small mackintosh–1,
2. Towel—1,
3. Kidney tray-2,
4. Gauze piece or cotton balls,
5. Mouth wash solution (0.12% Chlorhexidine or 05% Cetylpyridinium Chloride),
6. Galipot-1(Denture soaking solution),
7. Gloves,
8. The aseptic syringe or irrigating bulb,
9. A suction catheter with a suction apparatus,
10. A cotton ball with artery forceps,
11. Gauze padded tongue depressor,
12. Mouth gag (if patients unconscious to open the mouth),
13. Plain water in a mug,
14. Paper bag.

6. MOUTH CARE PROCEDURE FOR UNCONSCIOUS PATIENT:
Oral care procedures are used for patients who are unconscious or who are not able to
eat or drink.
1. Arrange all equipment on the bedside cabinet or an overbed table.
2. Set the patient’s bed in a comfortable position and lower one side rail.
3. Place a bulb syringe or suction machine with a suction machine nearby.
4. Place the client in a side-lying position and raise the level of the bed on one side
so that the patient is in a partial sitting position.
5. Rinse your hands properly with antiseptic soap and lukewarm water.
6. Wear gloves after drying hands.
7. Place towel or waterproof pad under the client’s chin and Wrap the patient’s chest
8. Keep the kidney tray under the patient’s cheek or remove secretions from the
mouth by the suction catheter.

7. CONT……
9. Use a padded tongue blade to open teeth gently. Never put your fingers in an unconscious
patient’s mouth.
10.Turn the head of the patient towards you in a very gentle manner.
11. A clean mouth, gums, teeth, and tongue with toothbrush and toothpaste.
12. Use an Asepto syringe or irrigating bulb without a needle to rinse the oral cavity. Swab or
use oral suction to remove pooled secretions
13. Clean immediately after brushing and Suction the saliva and toothpaste from the mouth
of the patient.
14. Wipe out the extra water on the mouth with a clean small towel.
15. Removes basin dries face and mouth, and applies water-soluble lip moisturizer.
16. Bring the patient back to a comfortable position.
17. Raise side rail and lower bed position.
18. Dispose of gloves in a paper bag and wash hands properly.
19. Report & documents oral findings and procedure.

8. ORALCAREINSTRUCTIONSFORUNCONSCIOUSPATIENTS:
Some important general instructions for ICU patients must be maintained during
oral care or mouth care delivery:
1. Sit the patient fully upright to prevent aspiration during mouth cleaning.
2. Inspect the patient’s oral cavity (lips, gums, teeth, tongue, inside cheeks, and
mucosa of floor and roof of the mouth) for any sign of dryness, edema,
redness, bleeding, or other debris.
3. Choose the appropriate devices and cleaning products for oral cavities.
4. Use Yankauer suction to remove excessive secretions and loose debris.
5. Avoid oral care with Hydrogen Peroxide if oral thrush or oral lesions present.

9. CONT..
6.Use toothpaste to brush the teeth and use an electric suction toothbrush to
reduce the risk for aspiration of contaminated water.
7.If dentures present, remove and gently brush and rinse. Soak dentures
overnight.
8.Gently brush teeth in circular motions at a 45-degree angle to the gum line.
9.Brush for 1-2 minutes to remove plaque build-up.
10.Use 0.05% Cetylpyridinium Chloride (anti-fungal and anti-bacterial) containing
mouthwash to reduce the risk of infection and to remove plaque.

10. THANKYOUALL