Definition

A chemical substance used to kill bacteria and prevent infections, often found in mouthwash and disinfectants.

Example

The dentist recommended using a mouthwash that contains chlorhexidine to help prevent gum disease.

Conversation

Have you ever used chlorhexidine as a mouthwash?

Yeah, I tried it once; it really helps with bad breath.

I heard it's also good for keeping your gums healthy.

Definitely! It's a great antiseptic to have on hand.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Chlorhexidine is formed from "chlor-" (from Greek "chloros", meaning green) and "hexidine" (derived from the chemical structure, where "hex" refers to six carbon atoms and "-idine" is a suffix used in chemistry for certain compounds). The word refers to a green-colored compound with a six-carbon structure used as an antiseptic.

Memory Tip

Think of 'green' ('chlor-') to remember that chlorhexidine is a compound related to its chemical structure, which includes six carbon atoms.

Visually Confused Words