Comparative Evaluation of the Efficacy of Ice Cubes Versus Sodium Bicarbonate Mouthwash both as Prophylactic Measure and as Treatment of Oral Mucositis Induced by Systemic Anticancer Therapies

Oral mucositis is a complication of systemic anticancer therapies. This study aimed at investigating the use of ice cubes and sodium bicarbonate mouthwash as a preventive and a treatment measure for oral mucositis in patients receiving systemic anticancer therapies. The two measures were given to ۵۰ patients, ۲۴ of whom already had oral mucositis at Oncology Department in Rizgary Teaching Hospital in Erbil/ Iraq. Patients’ grades for oral mucositis were recorded before and after receiving the two measures. After treatment of the ۲۴ patients with Oral Mucositis, the number decreased to ۹ patients. The grades of patients’ oral mucositis also decreased to lower grades The two measures were effective but sodium bicarbonate mouthwash was more significant effective as a treatment and preventive measure for oral mucositis (p=۰.۰۴۴) than ice cubes (p=۰.۰۲۲).

Keywords:

Ice Cubes , Sodium Bicarbonate Mouthwash , Oral Mucositis , Treatment Chemotherapy