Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of mouthwash using cold or normal temperature
normal saline solution on oral health status, xerostomia, halitosis, and salivary pH of elders in long-term care
facilities. Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, the participants were assigned to a cold normal saline solution
group (n=30), a normal saline solution group (n=30), and a tooth brushing group (n=33). Data were analyzed using
x2 test, Fisher‘s exact test, paired t-test, one-way ANOVA with SPSS 20.0 program. Results: Using cold normal
saline solution or normal saline solution mouthwashes was shown to be more effective than using only tooth brushing
in improving the oral health status (F=9.57, p<.001) and in relieving xerostamia (F=6.52, p=.002) in the
participants. A comparison of before and after the experimental treatment showed that both cold normal saline
solution and normal saline solution improved oral status, xerostomia, halitosis, and salivary pH. Conclusion: The
results indicate that regular tooth brushing with education on continuous normal saline solution mouth washing
promotes oral health for elders. These interventions can also be used as nursing interventions to improve the oral
health of the elders in long-term care facilities.