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Chlorhexidine CHX is a commonly used antiseptic mouthwash, used by dental practitioners and the public, due to its antimicrobial effects. The aim of this article was to provide a narrative review of current antimicrobial uses of CHX relevant to dentistry in the context of oral diseases, highlighting need for further studies to support its safe and appropriate use.
Some evidence existed to support adjunctive short-term use of CHX to manage dental plaque, and reduce clinical symptoms of gingivitis, dry socket, as well as reduce aerosolisation of bacteria. However, use must be weighed alongside the less desirable effects of CHX, including extrinsic staining of teeth, antimicrobial resistance to antiseptic agents and the rare, but fatal, allergic reactions to CHX. Conversely, evidence for the effectiveness of chlorhexidine to manage or prevent periodontitis, dental caries, necrotising periodontal diseases, peri-implantitis, and infections associated with extraction and aerosolised viruses remains less certain.
The use of CHX in dentistry and oral healthcare continues to be widespread and thus it is important that dental practitioners understand that, based on its differential mechanisms of action on different microbes, appropriate clinical and dental use of CHX should be oral disease specific.
However, further scientific and clinical research is required before full recommendations can be made. Chlorhexidine gluconate 1,1'-hexamethylene bi [5- p-chlorophenyl biguanide] di-D-gluconate CHX is a gluconate salt; a biguanide compound, that has been around since the s for clinical use. It is also a broad-spectrum anti-microbial agent, causing disruption of cellular membranes [ 1 ]. It is thus currently used as a disinfectant agent for cleaning non-living clinical surfaces and catheters.
