Although daily use of a chlorhexidine mouthwash is sometimes recommended to prevent mouth sores (mucositis) caused by chemotherapy, a review of several studies reported in the European Journal of Cancer Care found the mouthwash no more effective than plain water or salt solution. In addition, patients complained of tooth discoloration and changes in taste after using it.
Nurse scientist C.M.J. Potting MSC, RN and colleagues at Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Center in the Netherlands concluded:
These results do not support the use of chlorhexidine mouthwash to prevent oral mucositis.
Potting et. al. European Journal of Cancer Care Volume 15, Number 5, December 2006, pp. 431-439
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