Chlorhexidine oral rinse should be used after you have brushed and flossed your teeth. Rinse the toothpaste completely from your mouth with water before using the oral rinse. Do not eat or drink for several hours after using the oral rinse.

The cap on the original container of chlorhexidine can be used to measure the 15 mL (?fluid ounce) dose of this medicine. Fill the cap to the ``fill line.\'\' If you do not receive the dental rinse in its original container, make sure you have a measuring device to measure out the correct dose. Your pharmacist can help you with this.

Swish chlorhexidine around in the mouth for 30 seconds. Then spit out. Use the medicine full strength. Do not mix with water before using. Do not swallow the medicine.

Dosing

The dose of chlorhexidine oral rinse will be different for different patients. Follow your dentist\'s or medical doctor\'s orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of chlorhexidine oral rinse. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your dentist or medical doctor tells you to do so.

• For oral rinse dosage form:
  • For gingivitis:
    • Adults Use 15 milliliters (mL) as a mouth wash for 30 seconds two times a day.
    • Children up to 18 years of age Use and dose must be determined by your dentist or medical doctor.

Missed dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, use it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

To store this medicine:

• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Store away from heat and direct light.
• Keep the medicine from freezing.
• Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine that is no longer needed. Be sure any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of using the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your dentist or medical doctor will make. For chlorhexidine, the following should be considered:

Allergies Tell your dentist or medical doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or to skin disinfectants containing chlorhexidine. Also tell your dentist or medical health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Pregnancy Chlorhexidine has not been studied in pregnant women. However, chlorhexidine has not been shown to cause birth defects or other problems in animal studies.

Breast-feeding It is not known whether chlorhexidine passes into the breast milk. Although most medicines pass into breast milk in small amounts, many of them may be used safely while breast-feeding. Mothers who are taking this medicine and who wish to breast-feed should discuss this with their dentist or medical doctor.

Children Studies on this medicine have been done only in adult patients, and there is no specific information comparing use of this medicine in children with use in other age groups.

Older adults Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in younger adults or if they cause different side effects or problems in older people. There is no specific information comparing use of this medicine in the elderly with use in other age groups.

Other medicines 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 dentist or medical doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your dentist or health care professional if you are using any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine that is to be used in the mouth.

• Front-tooth fillings (especially those having rough surfaces) Chlorhexidine may cause staining that, in some cases, may be impossible to remove and may require replacement of the filling

• Gum problems (other) Use of chlorhexidine may make other gum problems, such as periodontitis, worse