Community dentistry: chlorhexidine: practice question

A Dentistry question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Dentistry · Community dentistry: chlorhexidine

Sample item

A patient uses a mouthwash for 3 weeks after periodontal surgery and complains of brown staining of the teeth and altered taste. Which agent is likely?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

B. Chlorhexidine

Chlorhexidine is the gold standard antiplaque agent because of its substantivity, but prolonged use causes brown staining, taste change and calculus. The effect is not permanent.

Option by option

  • A. Sodium fluoride

    Fluoride mouthwash does not stain this way.

  • B. Chlorhexidine (correct)

    Correct. Brown staining and taste change are typical of chlorhexidine.

  • C. Normal saline

    Saline causes no staining.

  • D. Hydrogen peroxide

    Hydrogen peroxide may irritate mucosa but is not the classic cause.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Dentistry question

What is the answer to this Dentistry question?

The best answer is B, Chlorhexidine. Chlorhexidine is the gold standard antiplaque agent because of its substantivity, but prolonged use causes brown staining, taste change and calculus.

Why is "Sodium fluoride" not the answer?

Fluoride mouthwash does not stain this way.

Why is "Normal saline" not the answer?

Saline causes no staining.

Why is "Hydrogen peroxide" not the answer?

Hydrogen peroxide may irritate mucosa but is not the classic cause.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Community dentistry: chlorhexidine in Dentistry. The effect is not permanent.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Community dentistry: chlorhexidine?

Learn the dental formula, eruption ages and tooth structure once, as tables. Then use the flashcards and the other Dentistry questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.