Adverse Effects of Using 0.12% Chlorhexidine Digluconate: A Literature Review

In times of pandemic, health and hygiene care must be doubled. A healthy body helps the immune system to prevent infections. Therefore, the concern of health authorities regarding the new coronavirus (Sars-Cov-2) is justified. In this sense, attention to oral hygiene is of fundamental importance since the mouth is the gateway for numerous infectious agents. The use of chemical adjuvants is recommended, as it reduces the microbial load to which the organism is subjected. However, the use of such substances can cause some undesired effects, which we will see below in relation to 0.12% chlorhexidine digluconate, considered the “gold standard” of mouthwashes [1]. As a chemical control, 0.12% chlorhexidine digluconate is the most widespread in the lineage of mouthwashes [1]. In addition to the effective action of chlorhexidine on dental biofilm, its use is also indicated for oral mucositis, as it acts in reducing the severity of injuries, providing more comfort and avoiding secondary infections [2].

Chlorhexidine has a substantivity in the oral cavity for approximately 12 hours, inhibiting the adhesion and colonization of microorganisms to dental elements. Thus, it can be emphasized that it exerts bactericidal action when used in high concentrations and bacteriostatic in low doses, paralyzing and killing bacteria [1-3]. However, even with numerous beneficial effects, some adverse effects have been observed in the literature regarding its use, such as: alteration in the coloration of dental elements, restorations, prostheses and tongue, formation of supragingival calculus, loss of taste, burns in tissue soft, pain, dry mouth, and unpleasant aftertaste in the mouth. Mucosal ulcerations, reversible swelling of the lips and parotid glands, scaly lesions, urticaria, dyspnea and anaphylactic shock can rarely occur [4-6].

Chlorhexidine is an antimicrobial and antiseptic agent widely used in the health area, however, it can cause oral changes such as: changes in the color of the dental elements, loss of taste, soft tissue burns, pain, dry mouth, scaly lesions, mucosal ulcerations and unpleasant aftertaste in the mouth [4]. According to Zanatta & Rösing [4], the change in dental color (Figure 1), which is reported by most users, is strongly associated with its prolonged use, concentration and high volume, affecting mainly the cervical face of the crown and the proximal areas of the dental elements. However, these stains are easily removed with the use of ultrasound (Figure 2). these authors also address hypotheses about the factors that lead to staining, such as the ability of chlorhexidine to denature proteins, form ferric and stony sulfite, or even with the association of colored foods, however for Bohner [7] the staining is caused by diet dyes, which react with the mouthwash, forming colored elements. Berton et al. [5] describe the clinical management of unilateral parotid edema caused by the use of chlorhexidine in a 66-year-old patient who used the substance continuously.

Figure 1: Teeth stained by 0.12% chlorhexidine digluconate.

Figure 2: Appearance after ultrasound treatment.

According to Torres et al. [8] it is necessary for the professional to make a correct anamnesis and clinical diagnosis of the patient in order to be more careful when performing invasive procedures in patients with systemic diseases and heart valves, so avoiding compromising the patient’s health. It is necessary in the preoperative period to perform extra-oral asepsis and rinse with chlorhexidine, as well as to use it in the postoperative period to prevent the development of infections, always guiding the patient on the form and days of use to avoid effects collaterals in the oral cavity. The most widely used form of chlorhexidine at a concentration of 0.12% in dentistry is through mouthwash, the amount of which is 15ml, twice a day, rinsing for 60 seconds [1,2,4]. In a recent study, Ambhore and Padhye showed the effectiveness of using chlorhexidine in gel form [9]. On the other hand, Campos et al. [10] reported the use of chlorhexidine by the medical team three times a day and mouthwash with 10 ml of 0.12% chlorhexidine solution for 60 seconds. The use in high doses, acts in the coagulation of cytoplasmic proteins and bacterial death, in low doses, it causes a change in the cell membrane and extravasation of low molecular weight bacteria [2,4].

As emphasized by Franco et al. [11], chlorhexidine acts in two ways, when used in low concentrations, it has bacteriostatic action, paralyzing the bacterium, through the alteration of the osmotic balance and the loss of intracellular substances. Already in high concentrations it has bactericidal action, which ends up destroying the cell. Chlorhexidine is also effective in preventing and treating mucositis in patients undergoing radiotherapy and chemotherapy [8]. These authors emphasize that the MASCC (Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer) and ISOO (International Society of Oral Oncology) do not recommend its use in cancer patients. Ribeiro Junior et al. [12] reported that even though chlorhexidine is used on a large scale in the control of mucositis, it generates oral burning and dysgelsia in addition to reducing mucin levels, affecting the salivary glands by the effects of radiation, leading to xerostomia. Thus, we can conclude that 0.12% chlorhexidine digluconate is an excellent antimicrobial agent, however its use should be done with discretion, as it has significant adverse effects.

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