Chlorhexidine toothpaste is a combination of the active ingredient chlorhexidine digluconate, which is present in many mouth rinses, and various toothpastes, with the aim of combining the positive effects of both in one product. Before discussing special combination preparations and their specific areas of application, it should be made clear once again what exactly “chlorhexidine” is and what exactly a toothpaste should aim for. Chlorhexidine digluconate (short “CHX”) is chemically chloride or acetate and is used chemically as gluconate.
In an aqueous solution it has a double positive charge and is able to settle in the membranes of bacteria. This destroys the bacteria and CHX therefore has an antiseptic effect. The advantage of CHX is the high elimination rate of approximately 100%, i.e. it is not absorbed into the body and in addition the high retention time and thus the duration of action on teeth and mucous membrane.
Toothpastes have the function to strengthen the cleaning power of the toothbrush and to counteract caries and/or periodontitis with active ingredients. The cleaning power is mainly enhanced by cleaning agents such as silicate compounds or marble powder. Foaming agents ensure an even distribution and actively promote the loosening of food residues and plaque.
Active ingredients such as florid harden the tooth enamel and thus have a caries-protective effect. Thus they form an effective protection against tooth decay and thus tooth loss. Components such as Triclosan counteract periodontitis.
When chlorhexidine and toothpaste are used in combination, either as a combined preparation (Gum Paroex/Curasept Gel) or when CHX-containing mouthrinse and toothbrushes are used at the same time, it should be noted that the toothpastes do not contain any foaming agent of the sodium lauryl sulphate type. The foaming agent sodium lauryl sulfate inactivates chlorhexidine which loses its effectiveness. A toothpaste free of sodium lauryl sulphate is for example “parodontax”.
If a toothpaste containing sodium lauryl sulphate is to be used, an interval of 30 to 120 minutes must be observed between brushing the teeth and mouth rinsing solution to prevent chlorhexidine from being inactivated. Classical areas of application for combination preparations are periodontitis and associated symptoms or other cases of excessive intraoral bacterial accumulation, for example, often in cases of poor oral hygiene with simultaneous use of dentures.
