Acute Medicine | Palliative care | Management of sore mouth and other oral problems

Management of sore mouth and other oral problems
Session overview
Description
Oral problems can impact greatly on the quality of life of patients receiving end-of-life care. This session provides a framework for the assessment and management of a sore mouth and other oral problems.

This session was reviewed by Rachel Lee and Sarah Hanrott and last updated in May 2024.

Learning objectives
By the end of this session you will be able to:

• list the risk factors for common problems with mouth care in patients nearing the end of life
• outline the core steps involved in assessing a sore mouth and other oral problems to reach a diagnosis and initiate a management plan
• describe the main drug and non-drug approaches to the management of sore mouth and other common oral problems

Oral problems are prevalent at the end of life. They are often overlooked by carers, nurses and clinicians as the oral cavity is not easily in view. Also, patients often do not volunteer information about their oral symptoms. This makes recognition and assessment of mouth problems difficult.

Problems related to the mouth have a big impact on a patient's quality of life. The oral cavity plays a major role in eating, appreciation of food, communicating and social interaction.

This session discusses the main risk factors for mouth problems. It outlines the assessment, and drug and non-drug measures that can be taken to manage a sore mouth and other oral problems.