Oral Surgery · single question
A patient with oral mucositis is currently rinsing with chlorhexidine. What is the recommended change?
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: A. Switch to a povidone-iodine rinse
- A. Correct. Alcohol-based chlorhexidine burns already-ulcerated mucosa and has not shown benefit in mucositis. Povidone-iodine provides antisepsis with better tolerability on denuded tissue.
- B. Increasing frequency intensifies the burning and staining without improving mucositis outcomes.
- C. Antimicrobial rinsing still has a role — the issue is choosing an agent the ulcerated tissue tolerates.
- D. Alcohol is directly irritating to ulcerated mucosa and is contraindicated.