Mrs. Parsons has stomatitis after chemotherapy. Which comment indicates understanding of oral hygiene instructions?

Mrs. Parsons has stomatitis after chemotherapy. Which comment indicates understanding of oral hygiene instructions?

• A. I don't brush my teeth every day, but when I do, I use my ordinary toothbrush.
• B. I use diluted Listerine mouthwash every 4 hours. It stings, so I know it is working.
• C. Rinsing my mouth with normal saline every 2 hours has helped me tremendously.
• D. I never need analgesics. If my mouth is too painful, I just do not brush or rinse for a day or two and the pain passes.

Answer: (C)

When mucous membranes are inflamed after chemotherapy, the aim is gentle, non-irritating oral care that keeps the mouth clean and moist. Rinsing with normal saline every couple of hours fits this approach because saline is gentle on the mucosa, doesn’t sting, and helps wash away debris while keeping the tissues moist. This can reduce the microbial load and pain, supporting healing without causing additional irritation. Other practices described show factors that can worsen mucositis or delay healing. Skipping regular brushing or using an ordinary toothbrush can traumatize sensitive tissues. An alcohol-containing mouthwash can burn and irritate the sore mucosa, and dismissing oral care when pain is present misses an opportunity to maintain hygiene and control infection risk. Continuing careful oral hygiene, using soft brushes, and rinsing with saline as described is the safer, more effective approach for managing stomatitis in this context.

When mucous membranes are inflamed after chemotherapy, the aim is gentle, non-irritating oral care that keeps the mouth clean and moist. Rinsing with normal saline every couple of hours fits this approach because saline is gentle on the mucosa, doesn’t sting, and helps wash away debris while keeping the tissues moist. This can reduce the microbial load and pain, supporting healing without causing additional irritation.

Other practices described show factors that can worsen mucositis or delay healing. Skipping regular brushing or using an ordinary toothbrush can traumatize sensitive tissues. An alcohol-containing mouthwash can burn and irritate the sore mucosa, and dismissing oral care when pain is present misses an opportunity to maintain hygiene and control infection risk. Continuing careful oral hygiene, using soft brushes, and rinsing with saline as described is the safer, more effective approach for managing stomatitis in this context.