Influence of teeth, plaque and dentures on the retention of chlorhexidine in the human oral cavity

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Abstract
The retention of chlorhexidine in the oral cavity after rinsing with 10 ml 0.2 % [14C]‐chlorhexidine‐digluconate for 1 min was found to be 3.8 mg (S.D. = 1.4 mg) in a group of 12 edentulous patients. By comparison, the mean oral retention in 10 dental students with cleaned and polished teeth was 4.6 mg (S.D. = 0.7 mg). Measurement of the retention in 6 subjects before and after extensive tooth extractions showed no major influence of the teeth on the chlorhexidine retention.Plaque accumulation for 6 d increased the mean Plaque Index from 0 to 0.82 (S.D.=0.35). The corresponding mean oral retention increased significantly from 4.6 mg (S.D.=0.7 mg) to 5.6 mg (S.D.=1.1 mg).Chlorhexidine was readily bound to acrylic resin dentures. A mean binding of 4.2 mg (S.D.=2.0) after 16 min immersion in 110 ml 0.2% chlorhexidine solution was found.The [14C] activity of the saliva showed a sharp fall during the first few hours after insertion of the dentures, followed by a slow release, with activity still present after 24 h.