Green Tea Mouthwash on the Oral Health Status in Oral Cancer Patients

Effectiveness of Green Tea Mouthwash on the Oral Health Status in Oral Cancer Patients: A Single-blind Randomized Clinical Trial and a CONSORT-compliant Article

Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of green tea mouthwash on the oral health status (OHS) in oral cancer patients undergoing anticancer treatment. Materials and methods: This was a prospective, single-blind, randomized, controlled trial. Patients were randomly assigned to 2 groups: mouthwash with green tea (intervention) group or tap water (control) group. The intervention group rinsed the mouth with 100 ml green tea solution for 60 seconds at least twice daily, and the control group rinsed the mouth with 100 ml tap water for 60 seconds at least twice daily. The primary outcome was OHS, which was evaluated according to the Oral Assessment Guide and measured at seven time points by the same researcher. Time 0 (T0) corresponded to baseline, and Time 1-6 (T1-T6) corresponded to monthly outpatient follow-ups until six months.

Patients were randomly assigned to 2 groups: mouthwash with green tea (intervention) group or tap water (control) group. The intervention group rinsed the mouth with 100 ml green tea solution for 60 seconds at least twice daily, and the control group rinsed the mouth with 100 ml tap water for 60 seconds at least twice daily.

Because of the nature of the intervention, only the data analyst was blinded to the meaning of the group assignment code.

The intervention group rinsed the mouth with 100 ml green tea solution for 60 seconds at least twice daily.

All patients received instructions for using the Bass brushing method to brush their teeth with a soft small-headed toothbrush. The intervention group rinsed the mouth with 100 ml green tea solution for 60 seconds at least twice daily. For the preparation of the green tea mouthwash, green tea solution was made with 5 g (1 teaspoon) of green tea powder dissolved in 100 ml water to produce 5% green tea mouthwash, as described in a previous study (Eshghpour, et al., 2013). The green tea powder was ground from Camelia sinensis leaves and regularly provided by the researcher. The green tea solution is made for a single use and remade before rinsing each time. When patients return to the outpatient monthly, the researcher first confirms patients' compliance, then assists with solving difficulties and gives encouragement.

All patients received instructions for using the Bass brushing method to brush their teeth with a soft small-headed toothbrush. The control group rinsed the mouth with 100 ml tap water for 60 seconds at least twice daily.

Patients' oral health status (OHS) was assessed according to the Oral Assessment Guide (OAG) by the same researcher. The OAG consists of eight items: voice, swallow, lips, tongue, saliva, mucous membranes, gingiva and teeth or dentures. Each item is rated by a grading of 1 (normal) to 3 (severe). Sum scores between 8-24 points and a higher score indicate poorer OHS.

Patients' oral health status (OHS) was assessed according to the Oral Assessment Guide (OAG) by the same researcher. The OAG consists of eight items: voice, swallow, lips, tongue, saliva, mucous membranes, gingiva and teeth or dentures. Each item is rated by a grading of 1 (normal) to 3 (severe). Sum scores between 8-24 points and a higher score indicate poorer OHS.

Patients' oral health status (OHS) was assessed according to the Oral Assessment Guide (OAG) by the same researcher. The OAG consists of eight items: voice, swallow, lips, tongue, saliva, mucous membranes, gingiva and teeth or dentures. Each item is rated by a grading of 1 (normal) to 3 (severe). Sum scores between 8-24 points and a higher score indicate poorer OHS.

Patients' oral health status (OHS) was assessed according to the Oral Assessment Guide (OAG) by the same researcher. The OAG consists of eight items: voice, swallow, lips, tongue, saliva, mucous membranes, gingiva and teeth or dentures. Each item is rated by a grading of 1 (normal) to 3 (severe). Sum scores between 8-24 points and a higher score indicate poorer OHS.

Patients' oral health status (OHS) was assessed according to the Oral Assessment Guide (OAG) by the same researcher. The OAG consists of eight items: voice, swallow, lips, tongue, saliva, mucous membranes, gingiva and teeth or dentures. Each item is rated by a grading of 1 (normal) to 3 (severe). Sum scores between 8-24 points and a higher score indicate poorer OHS.

Patients' oral health status (OHS) was assessed according to the Oral Assessment Guide (OAG) by the same researcher. The OAG consists of eight items: voice, swallow, lips, tongue, saliva, mucous membranes, gingiva and teeth or dentures. Each item is rated by a grading of 1 (normal) to 3 (severe). Sum scores between 8-24 points and a higher score indicate poorer OHS.

Patients' oral health status (OHS) was assessed according to the Oral Assessment Guide (OAG) by the same researcher. The OAG consists of eight items: voice, swallow, lips, tongue, saliva, mucous membranes, gingiva and teeth or dentures. Each item is rated by a grading of 1 (normal) to 3 (severe). Sum scores between 8-24 points and a higher score indicate poorer OHS.

Inclusion Criteria: patients who were > 20 years newly diagnosed with oral cancer by a physician just received oral surgery and follow-up with or without chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Exclusion Criteria: patients with mental illness an acute and a severe illness status no teeth in the whole mouth the ability of mouth opening less than 1 cm.

Liao YC, Hsu LF, Hsieh LY, Luo YY. Effectiveness of green tea mouthwash for improving oral health status in oral cancer patients: A single-blind randomized controlled trial. Int J Nurs Stud. 2021 Sep;121:103985. doi: 10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2021.103985. Epub 2021 May 25.