Mouth care for patients receiving oral irradiation.

Oral irradiation causes acute mucositis and pain, dry mouth, loss of taste, impaired nutrition, depression and isolation. These problems can be significantly improved by skilled, research-based nursing care. The most important factors in oral care are frequent mechanical cleansing, good pain control, effective management of candida and regular, structured evaluation. An oral care regime using saline rinses may be more effective than a regime using a more astringent mouthwash. The use of an oral assessment guide and protocol ensures that all patients receive the same high-quality care. They simplify documentation and are useful audit tools and teaching aids.