Importance of using Chlorhexidine mouthwash prior to dental treatment: A literature review

A recent outburst of coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) first appeared in a Chinese province known as Hubei. Coronaviruses, also regarded as SARS-CoV-2, are large enveloped, single-stranded, and single-sense RNA viruses. These viruses can infect a wide variety of animals as well as humans. Dental care providers, particularly dentists, work intimately with patients and therefore have an enhanced risk of direct transmission of coronavirus 2. Several studies hypothesized that mouthrinses would reduce SARS-CoV-2 viral load in the oropharynx and its fluids, thereby lowering viral load in dental aerosol. This literature review discusses the potential use of preprocedural mouthrinses, particularly chlorhexidine, along with the COVID-19 effect on oro-maxillofacial treatments and the new threats of the coronavirus pandemic