Discoloration of human teeth by a combination of chlorhexidine and aldehydes or ketones in vitro

Abstract

abstract – The ability of chlorhexidine to form colored reaction products with various aldehydes and ketones and the capacity of these products to discolor human teeth in vitro were studied. A number of the substances examined are intermediates normally occurring in oral microbial metabolism. Many of the substances proved to react with chlorhexidine to produce colored products. Acetaldehyde, glyceraldehyde‐3‐phosphoric acid, glyceraldehyde, and α‐ketoglutaric acid were the most marked chromogens. Pure hydroxyapatite as well as extracted human teeth were discolored by the reactions. In this respect, acetaldehyde exhibited by far the greatest capacity.