The effects of oral administration of chlorhexidine on the rate of regeneration of epithelia of the oral mucosa and skin of mice

Using injection of tritiated thymidine and autoradiography, the labelling index, rate of migration of labelled cells and width of epithelia of the oral mucosa and skin of mice was examined after either (a) 2 % chlorhexidine solution or (b) distilled water, was instilled twice daily for 7 days into the oral cavity. A small but consistent reduction in the rate of regeneration of epithelia in chlorhexidine‐treated animals was attributed to the added stress to which the experimental group was exposed. It was anticipated that a direct irritant effect of chlorhexidine on the oral mucosa would produce a locally increased rate of epithelial regeneration: no such change was observed. No change in the labelling index of the liver or in the rate of gain of weight in experimental animals was detected during the experimental period.