If your Dentist has prescribed or given you a bottle of Chlorhexidine mouthwash, then it's likely that you have some type of gum disease (gingivitis or periodontitits). Don't worry, gum disease isn't uncommon and you certainly are not alone, but you should take the necessary steps recommended by your dentist or dental hygienist to help get your gums back to health.
What is Chlorhexidine?
Chlorhexidine is a prescription only mouthwash that is used to treat gum disease such as gingivitis or periodontitis. According to this study by NCBI, Chlorhexidine Gluconate .12% mouth rise can be used as an antiseptic when used properly, it kills and reduces bacterial levels in the mouth, helping treat and prevent gum disease.
How should I use Chlorhexidine?
Rinse with 15mls (The inside of the bottle cap has a "fill line" or "15mls line") of Chlorhexidine Gluconate .12% for 30 seconds, twice a day for 2 weeks after brushing and flossing your teeth or as suggested by your dental professional.
It is important to not rinse your mouth after using this product as it will reduce it's effectiveness. We tell our patients to wait about 30 minutes before rinsing their mouth or consuming anything (even water).
Are there any side effects to using Chlorhexidine?
While using Chlorhexidine oral rinse you may notice some temporary changes in food taste and/or unpleasant taste. Although it is common for patients to complain of some tooth staining and calculus (tartar) build while using this Chlorhexidine Gluconate .12%, this is typically only seen during long-term use (4 weeks or longer) of this product. These brownish stains can be removed by scaling and polishing during your next dental cleaning.
Thank you for taking the time to read this blog post. We hope this product helps you understand what Chlorhexidine Gluconate is and what it's used for. If you have any questions please leave them in the comment section below. If you enjoyed and found it educational please share it with your friends and family on Facebook and follow us on Instagram. It only takes 1 minute of your time and it helps us out a lot. Thanks :)
References:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7567658/?report=classic
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