After a person has their third molar, or wisdom tooth, removed, they are at risk for a painful condition called alveolar osteitis. This is an infection and inflammation of the bone and gum tissue where the tooth was pulled. Researchers looked at data from several studies to see if using chlorhexidine could help prevent this issue.
The analysis compared patients who received chlorhexidine after surgery to those who did not receive it. The results showed that people who used chlorhexidine had a much lower risk of developing the infection. Specifically, there was a 42.9 percent reduction in cases when comparing the two groups.
While this finding suggests chlorhexidine is an effective way to prevent these infections, it is important to remember that this is based on a review of existing studies. Because it helps prevent local infections, some experts suggest it may also help reduce the need for systemic antibiotics. You should talk with your dentist or oral surgeon about whether this treatment is right for your specific recovery plan.
