chlorhexidine
Chlorhexidine (Peridex) is an antiseptic mouthwash that's used to treat gingivitis (gum inflammation) in adults. Your dentist might prescribed it for you after a dental checkup if they think you need it. Typically, you rinse with chlorhexidine (Peridex) by mouth twice daily after you've brushed your teeth. Some common side effects of chlorhexidine (Peridex) include staining of the teeth, changes in taste, and hardening of dental tartar.
What is Chlorhexidine (Peridex)?
What is Chlorhexidine (Peridex) used for?
- Gingivitis
How Chlorhexidine (Peridex) works
Chlorhexidine (Peridex) is an antiseptic mouthwash that kills certain germs (e.g., bacteria, fungi, viruses) in your mouth. It destroys their protective coverings so these germs can't survive. As a result, chlorhexidine (Peridex) can be used to prevent dental plaque, which helps to treat gingivitis and relieve symptoms of gum bleeding and swelling.
Drug facts
Side effects of Chlorhexidine (Peridex)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Staining of teeth, fillings, and tongue
- Hardening of dental plaque (tartar)
- Changes in taste
Less Common Side Effects
- Canker sore
- Mouth irritations (redness, swelling)
- Peeling of mouth tissue
- Red patches on the tongue
Chlorhexidine (Peridex) serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Severe allergic reactions: rash or hives, swelling of your face or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
The following Chlorhexidine (Peridex) side effects have also been reported
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common
Tooth, gum, or mouth pain, tenderness, aching, throbbing, soreness, discomfort, or sensitivity (mild to moderate)
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
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Pros and cons of Chlorhexidine (Peridex)
Pros
- Available as a lower-cost generic medication
- No significant interactions with other medications or supplements
- Might work well for people who didn’t see benefits with other mouthwashes for gingivitis
- Helps to prevent dental plaque
Cons
- Available by prescription only
- Can stain your teeth or change your taste buds
- Might not be safe or effective for children
- Short-term use only
Pharmacist tips for Chlorhexidine (Peridex)
- You will typically receive a prescription for chlorhexidine (Peridex) at the dental office after a check-up. Make sure to follow up with your dentist every 6 months while you're using chlorhexidine (Peridex). This can help your dentist make sure this medication is working for you and not causing side effects.
- Keep in mind that chlorhexidine (Peridex) alone is not enough to prevent gingivitis. It's important to regularly brush your teeth, clean between your teeth with a floss, and visit your dentist for a check up and professional cleaning. If you continue to experience gum bleeding and swelling, or you have loose teeth, see your dentist right away. These can be symptoms of severe gum disease (periodontitis).
- It's recommended that you wait to eat food or drink liquid after using chlorhexidine (Peridex). If you don't wait, you might accidentally swallow some of the medication, which can cause stomach irritation or nausea.
- Brush your teeth before rinsing your mouth with chlorhexidine (Peridex). Don't rinse your mouth with water or other mouthwash and don't brush your teeth after. Doing so can cause chlorhexidine (Peridex) to not work as well.
- Don't use leftover chlorhexidine (Peridex) without speaking to your dentist. In some cases, if your gum disease is severe, you might need to see your dentist for further treatment since chlorhexidine (Peridex) alone might not work so well. If you have symptoms of painful chewing, loose teeth, and bleeding gums, contact your dentist right away.
- Chlorhexidine (Peridex) might not be safe or effective for children. In small children, taking chlorhexidine (Peridex) by mouth can cause nausea, slurred speech, and slow movement. Don't give your child chlorhexidine (Peridex). If you think that your child might’ve accidentally swallowed chlorhexidine (Peridex), call your Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222 right away even if you aren't completely sure.
- Store this medication up and away and out of children's reach and sight. This prevents them from accidentally swallowing medicine that was left out. Always put medication away every time you use it.
Common questions about Chlorhexidine (Peridex)
Yes, the typical dosing for chlorhexidine (Peridex) is to rinse with this mouthwash twice a day, after you've brushed your teeth. Your dentist will let you know how long you need to use it after your dental appointment, but it's usually used short-term (for up to 6 months at a time).
Ask your dentist how long you should be using chlorhexidine (Peridex) after your dental appointment. Typically, chlorhexidine (Peridex) shouldn't be used for longer than 6 months at a time unless directed by your dentist. Using chlorhexidine (Peridex) long-term can raise your risk of side effects, such as staining of your teeth, bacterial resistance to the mouthwash, and severe allergic reactions.
In most cases, chlorhexidine (Peridex) stains aren't permanent and can be prevented with regular teeth brushing and flossing. Because staining is more noticeable in people with plaque buildup, having good dental hygiene can help to lower the risk of stains. Additionally, in clinical studies, only 15% of people experience heavy staining. Keep in mind that chlorhexidine (Peridex) stains are harmless. So even if regular brushing can't remove these stains, it won't affect your dental health in any way. Most chlorhexidine (Peridex) stains can be taken care of by professional cleaning. Schedule an appointment with your dentist if you have concerns about stains on your teeth.
Chlorhexidine (Peridex) can cause brown staining of your teeth, dental fillings, and tongue. The risk is higher if you have a lot of plaque buildup on your teeth or gum. To lower your risk of staining, make sure to brush your teeth twice a day and floss once a day to prevent plaque buildup. If your stain doesn't go away with regular brushing and flossing, you can also get your teeth professionally cleaned at the dental office.
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Risks and warnings for Chlorhexidine (Peridex)
Chlorhexidine (Peridex) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Teeth staining
- Risk factors: Plaque build-up | Long-term use of chlorhexidine (Peridex)
Chlorhexidine (Peridex) can stain your teeth, dental fillings, and your tongue. The stains are harmless and usually form where there is a lot of plaque. Typically, these stains either go away by themselves or they can be removed by your dentist. Make sure to brush, floss, and see your dentist regularly for cleanings.
Change in taste
During treatment with chlorhexidine (Peridex), your taste buds might change temporarily. In particular, you might have a more difficult time tasting salty and bitter flavors. In addition, chlorhexidine (Peridex) itself also has a bitter aftertaste. If your taste buds haven't recovered after stopping chlorhexidine (Peridex), talk to your dentist.
Plaque build-up
Some people using chlorhexidine (Peridex) may have more plaque buildup on their teeth. This can lead to gum diseases, which can cause gum bleeding and swelling. Make sure to brush your teeth twice a day and floss once a day. You should also see your dentist at least every 6 months for teeth cleanings and checkups so the plaque can be removed. If you have a serious gum infection or severe gum disease, your dentist might need to give you further treatments in addition to chlorhexidine (Peridex).
Allergic reactions
- Risk factor: History of allergy to products containing chlorhexidine
Although rare, chlorhexidine (Peridex) can cause severe and sometimes deadly allergic reactions. If you experience symptoms such as a rash, itchy skin, hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of your face or throat, stomach upset, or diarrhea while using chlorhexidine (Peridex), stop this medication and get medical attention right away.
Chlorhexidine (Peridex) dosage
Chlorhexidine (Peridex) reviews
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Effectiveness
Learn more about the effectiveness of Chlorhexidine (Peridex) based on real life experiences.
Overall Rating
Based on 1 people taking this medication
5
Effectiveness by condition:
periodontal disease1 reviews
5.0
Severity of side effects
Based on 7 people taking this medication
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100%
Top side effects
Tooth discoloration
29%
Reasons people stopped taking Chlorhexidine (Peridex)
Based on 13 people who have taken this medication
Course of treatment ended
100%
How long people take Chlorhexidine (Peridex)
Based on 13 people who have taken this medication
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Interactions between Chlorhexidine (Peridex) and other drugs
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.
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