Chlorhexidine is an antiseptic drug that is used to disinfect skin and mucous membranes. The tool is gentle and, unlike some other similar formulations, with proper use it does not damage the areas that can be processed. Rinsing with chlorhexidine also becomes relevant in inflammatory processes in the oral cavity and pharynx.
Description of the drug
Chlorhexidine allows you to disinfect and clean the wound without any pain and other side effects. When rinsing the oral cavity, this tool shows high efficiency in the removal of pathogenic bacteria and relieves discomfort.
The full name of the drug is “Chlorhexidine Bigluconate”. Rinsing with its use allows the active substances to have a detrimental effect on pathogenic microorganisms.
Optimal concentration for treatment
Possessing powerful antibacterial, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and wound healing properties, the drug is quite actively used in ENT practice, as well as in dentistry for rinsing the mouth.
Chlorhexidine, according to the testimony of a specialist, in each case is used in various concentrations: 0.05%, 0.1% or 0.2%. The decision on the optimal percentage can only be made by a doctor.
For home use, it is recommended to purchase a drug of low concentration - up to 0.05%. A more concentrated solution must be diluted with purified water before use, otherwise a burn of the mucous membranes or an allergic reaction may occur.
Chlorhexidine in Dentistry
Dentists prescribe chlorhexidine for the treatment of inflammatory diseases:
- gingivitis, in which the gums are affected;
- periodontitis, characterized by a violation of the integrity of the zone of connection of the tooth with the gum;
- stomatitis, in which the mucous membrane of the oral cavity becomes inflamed;
- inflammation of the hood of the third molar.
In addition, rinsing with chlorhexidine becomes advisable after removing the teeth or their roots, as well as after opening the inflamed tissues in which the purulent cavity was formed.
Chlorhexidine in ENT practice
ENT diseases in which rinses with chlorhexidine can be recommended:
- candidiasis;
- angina;
- laryngitis;
- tonsillitis;
- pharyngitis.
In addition, the drug can be prescribed as a restorative after removal of adenoids or tonsils. With proper use, the solution helps relieve swelling, pain and stops the further growth of bacteria.
Stomatitis treatment
Stomatitis is one of the most common diseases of the oral cavity, the causes of which are many. This can be both a banal neglect of hygiene standards, and a consequence of the development of serious conditions, for example, leukemia. Also, stomatitis often occurs after an injury to the oral mucosa and in renal failure.
Whatever the reason, dentists often recommend the use of chlorhexidine for rinsing the mouth as a treatment. Subject to all the rules, pathogenic microflora is completely destroyed in about two weeks, and the painful symptoms disappear.
Chlorhexidine in the dental surgery industry
After tooth extraction there is a high probability of complications. This is due to the fact that the wound surface remains relatively extensive, respectively, it is quite simple for bacteria to attack it.
To prevent the development of pathogenic microorganisms, a solution of chlorhexidine is used. However, it is important to remember that it should be used with extreme caution, otherwise you risk washing the blood clot that stops the hole formed after the operation. In order to treat the wound, a light contact of the medicine with it is quite enough, that is, you do not need to intensively roll the solution in the oral cavity. Just fill up the liquid and hold it for a few seconds, but not more than a minute.
Dosage
Let's figure out how to breed chlorhexidine for rinsing the mouth.
- Most often, children over 12 years old and adults use a solution with a concentration of 0.05%. But, as mentioned earlier, if necessary, the doctor can increase it.
- A similar composition is used to treat nursing mothers and women during pregnancy. However, remember that home use without consulting a specialist is prohibited here.
- For children aged 6-12 years, 0.05% of the composition is diluted with purified water or saline in equal proportions.
- If the child is not yet 6 years old, then the concentration is reduced as much as possible, diluting chlorhexidine with water in a ratio of 1: 2. At the same time, no more than 5 ml of solution is prepared for rinsing at one time.
How to prepare a rinse composition?
Despite the fact that the most common is chlorhexidine 0.05%, it is not always possible to find it. And if you have a solution at your disposal, the concentration of which is 0.2%, then you need to know how to dilute it correctly to obtain the necessary funds. To do this, a tablespoon of the drug is dissolved in a liter of purified or settled water.
Be sure to monitor the temperature of the liquid. Hot water will cause exacerbation - it will warm up the wound, due to which the inflammatory process will resume. If it is too cold, the opposite will happen - the vessels will narrow and the effectiveness will be negligible.
To prepare a solution of chlorhexidine for rinsing the mouth is necessary only once - it is not subject to storage. Therefore, make small portions.
Rules for using the solution
First of all, you should definitely read the instructions for using chlorhexidine for gargling. It is always attached to the bottle, and it contains all the information in detail: from the composition to contraindications and possible side effects.
Consider the basic rules of use and cautions.
- You can not use a tool that will be more concentrated than what the doctor recommended. This is sometimes done by patients who want to speed up the healing process or quickly get rid of pain. This can result in a worsening condition due to a burn of the mucosa.
- Do not leave the medicine open, otherwise it will quickly lose its antibacterial properties and will not have an antiseptic effect. For this, no more than thirty minutes is enough. Therefore, immediately after you have prepared the solution, close the vial tightly and immediately proceed with the procedure.
- It must be remembered that during rinsing, chlorhexidine should not be swallowed, since it is toxic to some extent. If you still swallowed the composition, then in such a situation it is recommended to drink about 400-500 ml of clean water, then induce vomiting and take activated charcoal, according to your body weight (1 tablet for every 10 kg). In a situation where the child swallowed the solution, you should immediately consult a doctor.
- Chlorhexidine is not recommended for use by persons who, due to certain diseases, cannot control themselves. In this case, the likelihood of swallowing the drug is very high, as is the inability to provide follow-up care.
Gargling
The main recommendations for the use of chlorhexidine for rinsing the throat and oral cavity will be as follows:
- thoroughly clean teeth from food debris without using toothpaste, paying special attention to interdental spaces; for this, you can use dental floss;
- rinse your mouth with water, the temperature of which will be slightly higher than room temperature;
- prepare the solution as prescribed by your doctor;
- put the product in your mouth and carry out the procedure for one minute - during this time a thin film forms on the surface to be treated, which will perform its healing function for several hours;
- spit the product into the sink.
Rinsing with chlorhexidine is best done in the morning after breakfast or in the evening after the last meal. The course of treatment depends on the condition, and its duration is determined by the doctor. Typically, the procedure is carried out twice a day. But if the pain is severe, then their number is increased to three to four, but no more, since unpleasant side effects can occur.
Chlorhexidine for angina
The drug for this disease is used in a slightly different way. To obtain the optimal therapeutic effect, rinse the oral cavity with water, then carry out the procedure with the use of the medicine, wait a few minutes and repeat these two actions again.
As a result of the use of chlorhexidine with angina, the active ingredients of the drug help to relieve the tonsils from purulent plaque, thereby accelerating recovery. The course of treatment often lasts one week, in some cases when the condition is serious, the therapy is extended for another seven days. The double procedure is repeated three to four times a day.
Chlorhexidine for children
Children who do not yet know how to rinse their mouth are given irrigation. To do this, the chlorhexidine solution is collected in a small syringe or in a syringe (without a needle), the baby's head is tilted over the sink and the throat is rinsed. Make sure that the child does not choke, and the composition immediately poured into the sink. Another way to carry out rehabilitation is to lubricate the affected areas with a cotton pad moistened with a small amount of the drug diluted in the required concentration.
However, even those children who can rinse during the procedure should be supervised by an adult. By monitoring the process and being constantly nearby, you can provide immediate assistance in case of accidental swallowing of the composition or if the child suddenly chokes.
What should be remembered?
After rinsing the throat with chlorhexidine, it is extremely not recommended to eat and drink water for several hours, otherwise the product will be washed off without acting. The drug itself should be warm - just above room temperature. Do not forget to adjust the diet for the duration of treatment, removing sharp and hard foods from it, and do not use too hot dishes. Undesirable at this time will be physical activity, as they can provoke an increase in blood pressure, which, in turn, can lead to bleeding. For several days, you should refuse to visit the baths, saunas, taking a hot bath and shower.
If, at the end of the course recommended by the doctor, you do not feel relief or one of the days your body temperature has risen, an additional consultation is required. Self-medication in such situations is unacceptable.
Feasible side effects
A high concentration of the drug, which differs from the doctor's prescription, as well as too frequent rinses can lead to such consequences:
- change in the shade of tooth enamel;
- violation of the receptivity of taste buds;
- dry mouth
- dry skin;
- itchy skin;
- tartar formation;
- dermatitis;
- decreased quality of sleep.
It should be noted that such manifestations as dryness and itching of the skin are allergic reactions and may be the result of not only an overdose, but also a natural reaction of the body. Therefore, during the first procedure, you must especially carefully monitor your feelings. It is possible that this drug is simply not suitable for you, and if you are allergic, you should immediately stop using it and rinse your mouth thoroughly with clean water to rinse off any residual composition. Otherwise, side effects are extremely rare.
Contraindications
According to the instructions, chlorhexidine for rinsing the throat and mouth is contraindicated in the presence of sensitivity to one of the components that make up the drug. In addition, this medicine should be the only antiseptic in the treatment of any disease. Self-treatment is not recommended, especially when it comes to children of all ages, as well as nursing and pregnant women.
In general, chlorhexidine, in the absence of contraindications and subject to all rules of use, shows a very high efficiency in eliminating inflammatory processes and treating dental and ENT diseases. In addition, patients who have tested the drug in practice, note its quick action and good analgesic qualities.