Chlorhexidine Mouthwash

What is Chlorhexidine mouthwash?

Chlorhexidine mouthwash can help create a healthy mouth and promote good oral hygiene. The active ingredient, chlorhexidine, is an antimicrobial that can treat conditions like gum disease and mouth ulcers, as well as prevent plaque buildup.

Mouth ulcers are common, thought to affect around 1 in 10 people.^[1] They’re not normally serious, but they can be irritating and painful when eating or drinking. They usually go away on their own within a couple of days, but using chlorhexidine mouthwash can speed up the healing process and reduce the severity and pain of the ulcers.

How does Chlorhexidine mouthwash work?

There can be many causes of mouth ulcers, such as injuring your cheeks or mouth, brushing, vitamin deficiencies and hormonal changes. When an ulcer is forming, it will feel tingly and look red. Within a couple of hours, it swells up and starts to hurt. This pain usually goes after three days, with the ulcer completely healing within a week. ^[1]

Chlorhexidine mouthwash can decrease the time it takes to heal ulcers. Its antimicrobial properties can prevent infection by killing bacteria. It does this by damaging the cell walls of bacteria; preventing their growth and leading to their death. ^[2]

Its antiseptic properties can also help promote good oral health by cleaning your mouth and removing food and microorganisms that could further aggravate your ulcers.

What doses of Chlorhexidine mouthwash are there?

Most chlorhexidine mouthwashes have a concentration of around 0.12%-0.2%, with the most common concentration being 0.2%. Having a higher concentration than 0.2% will generally result in unwanted side effects. ^[2]

How to use Chlorhexidine mouthwash

Avoid using mouthwash straight after brushing your teeth, as this can prevent it from working. Wait at least five minutes after brushing before using mouthwash. For adults and children over 12:

1. Fill the cap with 10 ml of mouthwash. This is indicated by a line on the cap.
2. Rinse it in your mouth thoroughly for one minute, and then spit it out.
3. Use it twice a day.

Keep using it for two days after your ulcer has healed.

How long does Chlorhexidine mouthwash take to work?

Mouth ulcers typically heal within a week, but using chlorhexidine mouthwash can heal them quicker and prevent infection. The healing process can vary in timescale, depending on the size and severity of your ulcer.