For a toddler receiving chemotherapy who develops stomatitis, which instruction is appropriate?

For a toddler receiving chemotherapy who develops stomatitis, which instruction is appropriate?

• A. Brush teeth only with water
• B. Avoid any mouth care
• C. Use alcohol-based mouthwash
• D. Frequently rinse the mouth with chlorhexidine mouthwash

Answer: (D)

Oral mucositis from chemotherapy creates a fragile mucosal barrier that’s prone to infection and painful ulcers. Keeping the mouth clean and reducing bacteria is essential to protect healing tissue and lessen pain. Frequently rinsing with chlorhexidine mouthwash provides an antiseptic effect that lowers the oral bacterial load around the ulcers, helping prevent infection and potentially reducing the severity and duration of mucositis in a child receiving chemotherapy. Alcohol-containing rinses can irritate the already sensitive mucosa, so they’re not ideal. Mouth care should be regular rather than skipped, and the child should spit out the rinse after use and avoid swallowing. If rinsing is uncomfortable, discuss with the care team for appropriate alternatives, but the guiding approach is more cleansing with an antiseptic rinse rather than no care or only rinsing with water.

Oral mucositis from chemotherapy creates a fragile mucosal barrier that’s prone to infection and painful ulcers. Keeping the mouth clean and reducing bacteria is essential to protect healing tissue and lessen pain. Frequently rinsing with chlorhexidine mouthwash provides an antiseptic effect that lowers the oral bacterial load around the ulcers, helping prevent infection and potentially reducing the severity and duration of mucositis in a child receiving chemotherapy. Alcohol-containing rinses can irritate the already sensitive mucosa, so they’re not ideal. Mouth care should be regular rather than skipped, and the child should spit out the rinse after use and avoid swallowing. If rinsing is uncomfortable, discuss with the care team for appropriate alternatives, but the guiding approach is more cleansing with an antiseptic rinse rather than no care or only rinsing with water.