Neurological Pain as a Result of Mouthwash Usage—A Case Report

Ali Nankali

Adult Oral Health Centre, Queen Mary University, London, UK.

DOI: 10.4236/oalib.1101034                

Abstract

Pain in pharynx is one of the leading complaints raised by patients with the common diagnosis pointing to: sore throat, odynophagia, pharyngitis and tonsillitis [1]. Recently, an interesting case of a 47-year-old patient (male-dentist) who claimed to have acquired a sudden sharp pain in pharynx (throat) location was observed. The absurd strength of the pain prevented the patient to even hold short-length verbal communications. The preliminary examinations by a general practitioner (GP) failed to conclude anything from the examinations; therefore the patient was referred for further investigation by specialists. The additional tests and examinations such as laryngoscopy and MRI did not suggest any leads to an appropriate diagnosis either. Inadvertently, the patient had noticed a strong correlation between the pain and the daily mouthwash dose. This was later investigated further and confirmed by the patients’ trial methods. Conclusion: In this case report, it is suggested that mouthwash may contaminate the oral soft tissue and cause a neurological pain.

Keywords

Chlorhexidine, Cetylpyridinium Chloride, Zinc Chloride, Throat Pain, Neurological Pain

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

References

[1]	Peltekis, G., Palaskas, D., Anyfantakis, D., Symvoulakis, E.K. and Kyrmizakis, D.E. (2012) Severe Throat Pain in Patients with Negative Oropharyngeal Examination: Four Case, Reports and Overview of the Literature. Folia Medica (Plovdiv), 54, 57-61. http://dx.doi.org/10.2478/v10153-011-0098-2
[2]	Chopra, V., Chopra, H. and Sharma, A. (2013) Allergic Urticaria: A Case Report of Rare Skin Allergy with a Common Mouthwash. Indian Journal of Dermatology, 58, 85. http://dx.doi.org/10.4103/0019-5154.105323
[3]	Attin, R., Tuna, A., Attin, T., Brunner, E. and Noack, M.J. (2003) Efficacy of Differently Concentrated Chlorhexidine Varnishes in Decreasing Mutans Streptococci and Lactobacilli Counts. Archives of Oral Biology, 48, 503-509. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0003-9969(03)00093-1
[4]	Matthijs, S. and Moradi Sabzevar, M. (2003) Chlorhexidine Varnishes in Dentistry. Revue Belge de Medecine Dentair, 58, 9-20.
[5]	Herrera, D. (2013) Chlorhexidine Mouthwash Reduces Plaque and Gingivitis. Evidence-Based Dentistry, 14, 17-18. http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/sj.ebd.6400915
[6]	Cortelli, S.C., Cortelli, J.R., Wu, M.M., Simmons, K. and Charles, C.A. (2012) Comparative Antiplaque and Antigingivitis Efficacy of a Multipurpose Essential Oil-Containing Mouthrinse and a Cetylpyridinium Chloride-Containing Mouthrinse: A 6-Month Randomized Clinical Trial. Quintessence International, 43, e82-e94.