Effects of Essential Oil Gargling and Purified Water Gargling on Thirst, Oral Condition and Halitosis of Postoperative Patients

에센셜오일 가글링과 정수 가글링이 수술 후 환자의 갈증, 구강상태 및 구취에 미치는 효과

Purpose: The main purpose of this study was to effect oral care methods between essential oil gargling and purified water gargling for postoperative patients who had general surgery or orthopedic surgery. Methods: The postoperative patients were assigned to one of two groups. One group gargled with essential oil and the other with purified water. All group gargled three times interval 2 hours. Each patients thirst, oral condition and halitosis were assessed four times. Results: After oral care was provided once, there were significant differences in thirst level between two groups. when oral care was provided once and three times, there were significant differences in oral condition between two groups. but there were no significant differences in halitosis between two groups. Conclusion: The results show that essential oil gargling is a more effective intervention than purified water gargling for post operative patients oral care in reducing the thirst level and improving the condition of the oral cavity.