MOUTH SWABS

There are a range of oral swabs on the market in a variety of colours, the most common and recognised colours are pink and green. Sponge swabs are meant to moisten the oral cavity, help loosen sticky mucus secretions, food debris and thickened saliva. They are not effective at removing plaque from the teeth and gums and should not be a substitute for a toothbrush.

Since 2012 Mouth Care Swabs are on a Medical Device Alert (MDA/2012/020) and their use are banned in Wales following a fatality when the sponge head became detached and dislodge in a patients mouth.

There have been over 800 safety incidents reported since April 2008 whereby the sponge head has come off either because it has become loose or because the resident/patient has bitten down on the sponge.

The green sponges are supposed to have stronger adhesive but we do not encourage their use intra orally as all oral sponges pose a significant health risk. Sponge swabs are not to be soaked as it can loosen the glue and give a risk of choking if the sponge head becomes detached.

“In April 2012 oral sponge swabs of all colours were banned in Wales. The ban took into account a range of concerns raised by nurses and dental teams. The effective method for good oral hygiene is a small headed toothbrush and toothpaste” 1000 Lives Plus Faculty Lead for Dentistry July 2013

RECOMMENDED ALTERNATIVES

360 Degree Toothbrushes

The soft bristles make this product a suitable replacement to the mouth sponges. The can be used to remove biofilm from the teeth and soft tissues of the oral cavity such as the tongue, palate and cheeks. It can also be used to hydrate the mouth with water or hydrating gel. It is a fast growing popular alternative to the Sponge swabs and can be purchased at Oralieve click here

Gauze

An alternative to mouth sponge swabs is non-fraying gauze. Gauze squares are ideal for removing debris, plaque and dry mucus from the lips and oral cavity.

Damp the gauze in water and wrap it around an index finger to remove plaque and food debris from the sulcus areas and outer teeth surfaces (buccal surfaces). A pea-sized amount of non-foaming toothpaste may be applied to the gauze when removing plaque from the teeth. The importance of plaque removal from the mouth and teeth is to lower the bacteria levels in the oral cavity It is important to also remember the sense of well being a clean mouth has as it is sometimes forgotten.

MC3 Sticks

MC3 sticks has a cone shaped head and soft round rubber filaments to help removed dried mucus secretions from the palate and helps with removing sticky mucus secretions from the palate and tongue and other soft tissues. For more information and purchase click here

PLEASE NOTE THAT THESE PRODUCTS MUST BE DISCARDED AFTER 12HRS

Small headed toothbrush

A soft, small headed toothbrush is recommended. In nil by mouth cases an aspirating toothbrush can be used if a care home has these facilities.

Appropriately trained staff in oral care

It is recommended in Nice Guidelines that care homes provide adequate staff training to deliver specialist palliative.

{NICE Guidance 1.6.1} Develop and provide care homes with oral health educational materials, support and training to meet the oral health needs of all residents, especially those with complex needs.