Parotid gland swelling following mouthrinse use.
BACKGROUND
Unilateral or bilateral swelling of the parotid gland is a reported side effect of rinsing the mouth with chlorhexidine. Although the incidence rate is extremely low, there have been several case reports on this topic and the authors of these reports have suggested several explanations for the mechanism of this complication.


METHODS
In this report, two cases of parotid gland swelling are discussed. Both patients developed unilateral parotid swelling following the use of a mouthwash, case 1 after using a chlorhexidine mouthwash following flap surgery and case 2 after using a hexetidine mouthwash in an approved clinical trial that was testing different mouthwashes.


RESULTS
In both of the cases, differential diagnoses were made to explain the cause of the parotid swelling. However, discontinuing use of the product resulted in an eventual complete resolution of symptoms in both patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Swelling of the parotid gland following use of a mouthwash has previously been reported, although previous reports found this side effect only in patients who used chlorhexidine mouthwashes. This complication has therefore been informally linked to chlorhexidine. The present case report questions this hypothesis and suggests that parotid gland swelling may not be related to the type of mouthwash used, but may instead be a consequence of the rinsing action itself.
Department of Periodontology, Academic Center for Dentistry Amsterdam, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands. ga.vd.weijden@acta.nl
G A
GA
Van der Weijden
J M A G
JM
Ten Heggeler
D E
DE
Slot
N A M
NA
Rosema
U
U
Van der Velden
D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002710:Chlorhexidine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004487:Edema / Q000139:chemically induced*; D005260:Female; D006590:Hexetidine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009067:Mouthwashes / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010305:Parotid Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D055815:Young Adult
D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D009067:Mouthwashes; D006590:Hexetidine; D002710:Chlorhexidine