Mouth Care

Medication side effects

Mouth breathing

Dry air

Dehydration

Infection

  • Candida (Thrush) can result from use of Steroids, antibiotics
  • Herpes.

Ulcerations from prior chemo/medications, underlying conditions

Poorly fitting or dirty dentures

What You Can Do

  • Do not stop any medications without asking the Hospice Team

  • Check if dentures still fit, may not as illness progresses

  • Keep dentures clean

  • Keep lips moist - Chapstick, Vaseline

  • Can try: Xylimelts™ (available at Walgreens, Amazon)

  • Discuss with the Hospice Team if it is ok to use a humidifier in the room if the air is too dry

Medications

  • While there is a long list of medications that can dry out the mouth, it is very important to not stopany medications without asking the
    Hospice Team

  • There are mouth swabs that are available to clean mouth when brushing teeth becomes difficult.
    Ask Hospice Team

  • If infection is found, there are often safe and effective medications