Genotoxic Effects of Chlorhexidine Mouthwash on Buccal Epithelial Cells

Objective: To study the genotoxic effect of Chlorhexidine mouthwash on buccal epithelial cells in chronic gingivitis patients. Methods: Chronic gingivitis patients(n=50) who were exclusively on mechanical plaque measures were taken as Controls(Group A) and chronic gingivitis patients who were on mechanical plaque measures along with adjunct 0.2 % Chlorhexidine mouthwash (n=50) were taken as Cases (Group B). Buccal epithelial cells were taken from these patients and were collected in a buffer and the centrifuged at 8000 rpm for 5 minutes. The cells were fixed with cold methanol (100%). The slides were kept at 37°C overnight and then stained with 5% Giemsa stain. The micronuclei frequency was calculated by observing 2000 nucleated cells per individual slides under microscope. Results: The average micronuclie frequency in Cases (4.62 ± 0.433) was approximately eight folds greater as compared to the Controls (0.6 ± 0.125). However, the total number of micronucleated cells that were present in Cases and Controls were 140 and 28 respectively. This study was statistically significant with p<0.01. Conclusion: Our findings with the micronucleus test indicate that the use of anti plaque agent chlorhexidine induces DNA damage resulting in genotoxicity.