Abstract: Objective To explore the effects of mouthwash on the recovery of neck function in patients with thyroid cancer after operation. Methods A total of 116 patients after thyroid cancer were randomly divided into two groups: an observation group and a control group (n=53). The control group performed routine neck exercises, and the observation group performed mouthwash exercise in addition to routine exercises. Both groups were compared for compliance, neck activity and the incidence of cicatricial contracture. Results After one week of intervention, the observation group presented better compliance and higher activity of the neck than the control group (P<0.05). The incidence of cicatricial contracture was lower in the observation group than that in the control group after one month of intervention (P<0.05). Conclusions For patients after thyroid cancer, mouthwash can effectively improve the compliance of exercise, improve the activity of neck and reduce the incidence of cicatricial contracture.