From these areas of retention, the drug is gradually released and the concentration of chlorhexidine in the mouth is kept on a level sufficient to create a bacteriostatic environment for a prolonged period of time. Moreover, two daily mouth rinses are capable of keeping the relatively low level of variable microorganisms in the saliva fairly constant. When chlorhexidine usage is terminated, the number of bacteria returns to pre-experimental values within 48 hours. There is no evidence that chlorhexidine is permanently retained in the body. The drug may penetrate the oral mucosa, but the amounts are probably very small.
Side effects increase with increasing use of the drug.