title: The effect of hexetidine mouthwash on the prevention of plaque and gingival inflammation: a systematic review.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To review the literature concerning hexetidine-containing mouthwash as a monotherapy or as an adjunct to oral hygiene in the prevention of plaque accumulation and gingival inflammation.
  
  
  METHODS
  PubMed-MEDLINE and the Cochrane-CENTRAL were searched through January 2010 to identify appropriate studies. The primary outcome measurements were plaque accumulation and gingivitis parameters.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Independent screening of titles and abstracts of 168 papers resulted in six publications that met the eligibility criteria. Mean values and standard deviations were obtained by data extraction. Descriptive comparisons are presented for hexetidine mouthwash and control mouthwashes (chlorhexidine and placebo).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Considering the potential benefits in the light of the observed side effects, hexetidine appears to be a poor alternative to chlorhexidine.
authors.affiliation: School of Dental Hygiene, Hogeschool Utrecht, University of Applied Sciences, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Afennich
authors.forename: D E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Slot
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hossainian
authors.forename: G A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Van der Weijden
mesh_terms: D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002710:Chlorhexidine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005884:Gingival Hemorrhage / Q000517:prevention & control; D005891:Gingivitis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006590:Hexetidine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D009067:Mouthwashes / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009910:Oral Hygiene; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012107:Research Design
chemical_list: D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D009067:Mouthwashes; D006590:Hexetidine; D002710:Chlorhexidine