Document

Make sure to always document changes in a person’s mouth, including:

1. Changes in skin color inside the mouth: from pink to white, red, or red/white
2. Bleeding: remember it is relatively common to see bleeding after brushing a patient’s teeth.
3. Pain: acute/throbbing, burning, or tingling sensations.

If a person reports any of these sensations, determine the location, and look for possible causes.

Medication side effects: medication(s) may cause changes to..

1. Oral tissue and/or tissue color.
2. Certain oral lesions (like gingival gum overgrowth or thrush, which is defined later)
3. Change in taste for the person.

Bad breath: a common oral condition which can make oral care and general care of the person more difficult.