There are many commercially available chlorhexidine -based mouthwashes , some are medical devices, others real drugs. As such, these products must therefore be used correctly, fully respecting the doses prescribed/recommended by the doctor and the duration of the treatment.
The broad-spectrum disinfectant action of which chlorhexidine is endowed make it an ideal active ingredient for the preparation of disinfectant and anti-plaque mouthwashes.
Shutterstock
Chlorhexidine mouthwashes (in which the active ingredient is usually found in concentrations of 0.12% or 0.2%) are widely used in the prevention of dental infections after dental surgery (e.g. dental extraction , apicectomy ) and in the treatment of gingivitis and other types of inflammation in the oral cavity.
While not requiring a prescription, the use of chlorhexidine mouthwashes should always take place on the advice of a doctor or an expert in the field. An excessive dosage of the product (taken in the form of oral rinses) or an unsuitable duration of treatment for your disorder could in fact lead to risks and even serious side effects.
To know more:Chlorhexidine mouthwash: what it is, how to use it, side effects
Null effect and common ailments
As we have seen, it is important to know the correct way to use mouthwash to make the most of its therapeutic efficacy, avoiding unpleasant side effects.
Although it is the doctor’s duty to educate the patient on the ideal way to use the product, let us briefly recall the main guidelines.
First of all, it is necessary to know that chlorhexidine is sensitive to some ingredients commonly present in the preparation of toothpastes (such as, for example, sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium monofluorophosphate). Having said this, it is understood that the concomitant use of generic toothpastes and chlorhexidine mouthwash could alter or, even worse, nullify the therapeutic effect of the drug. To avoid nullifying the effect of chlorhexidine you can proceed using a toothbrush and toothpaste before the mouthwash and wait about 10 minutes before rinsing; or you could use mouthwash at different times than you use toothpaste.
Furthermore, to avoid damaging the color of the dental enamel , rinsing with chlorhexidine mouthwash should not be excessive: the frequency of use, therefore, must not be higher than that indicated by the doctor or indicated on the product leaflet .
Another very important element is the method of use of the mouthwash. After a dental procedure, rinses with mouthwash should always be done with a certain delicacy, to avoid unstitching the stitches. In fact, as a rule, it is advisable to rotate the head while keeping the mouthwash in the mouth in such a way that it gently comes into contact with the wound and the gums.
Otherwise, in the case of gingivitis, rinsing should be more vigorous.
Stains on the teeth
When used in the right doses and adequately, chlorhexidine mouthwash does not cause any harm. Often, however, patients tend to abuse the product, in the mistaken belief that “mouthwash doesn’t hurt because it shouldn’t be ingested”.
In reality, when used incorrectly and excessively, there is the risk of stains appearing on the teeth and tongue, but not only. Following the improper use of chlorhexidine mouthwash, fillings , prostheses and orthodontic appliances may also undergo discoloration and the appearance of stains.
However, to minimize the risk of stains on teeth , fillings, appliances or prostheses, new formulations have been devised to minimize this problem.
To know more:Stains on Teeth: causes and remedies
Burning of the oral cavity
Burning and irritation of the oral cavity following the use of chlorhexidine-based mouthwashes may be the result of an intolerance to the active ingredient and/or to the product as a whole, as well as the result of improper use.
In such situations, the use of the mouthwash should be immediately suspended and the doctor immediately contacted.
Taste alteration
The alteration of the perception of taste ( dysgeusia ) is another side effect that can occur following the use of chlorhexidine mouthwashes.
Usually, this is a reversible effect which should resolve on discontinuation of the chlorhexidine mouthwash. If not, you should consult your doctor.
