When you stand in front of the pharmacy shelves with mouthwashes, the variety is bewildering . Elgydium , Hexoral , and now ProntOral® from Traumacare — all promise to protect the mouth, but their active ingredients are different and address different needs .
In this article we objectively compare the 3 products so that you can make an informed choice.
Note: All information comes from publicly available data from the manufacturers. It does not replace the advice of a doctor or pharmacist.
1. Summary — what's different in one sentence
- Elgydium (classic) : mouthwash with chlorhexidine or chloride for daily prevention .
- Hexoral : antiseptic with hexetidine for short-term treatment of sore throat, stomatitis, gingivitis.
- ProntOral® : antimicrobial with polyhexanide (PHMB) for daily prevention + MDRO decolonization + clinical scenarios .
2. Comparison table
| Factor | Elgydium | Hexoral | ProntOral® |
|---|---|---|---|
| Active | Chlorhexidine or chlorides (depending on version) | Hexetidine 0.1% | Polyhexanide (PHMB) |
| Category | Biguanide / cationic | Pyrimidine | Biguanide polymer |
| Alcohol | Some versions | Often yes (~7%) | No |
| Volume | 300-500 ml | 200 ml | 250 ml |
| Flavor | Mint/Ice | Mint | Peppermint |
| Manufacturer | Pierre Fabre (France) | Johnson & Johnson | B |
| Availability | Pharmacies | Pharmacies | Traumacare (Greece only) |
| Indicative price | €5-12 | €5-10 | €17.96 |
3. Scope of action
Elgydium
Many variants: some with chlorhexidine (0.12%), others with cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC)-type chlorides, others correspond to daily use without a strong antiseptic. Good general prevention, with the corresponding side effects of chlorhexidine in prolonged use.
Hexoral
Hexetidine is an old antiseptic with antibacterial and mild antifungal activity. It is mainly used for short-term treatment of sore throat and mild stomatitis. It does not target MDROs.
ProntOral®
Polyhexanide (PHMB) has a broad spectrum of activity , including MRSA, VRE, ESBL, Candida. Approved indication for decolonization of the oral cavity and pharynx — unique in the Greek market.
4. Spectrum of action
| Pathogen | Elgydium (chlorhexidine 0.12%) | Hexoral (hexetidine) | ProntOral® (PHMB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| S. mutans (caries) | +++ | ++ | +++ |
| P. gingivalis (periodontitis) | +++ | + | +++ |
| Candida | ++ | ++ | +++ |
| MRSA | +++ | + | +++ |
| VRE | ++ | + | +++ |
| ESBL | ++ | + | +++ |
| Enveloped viruses | + | + |
5. Side effects
Elgydium (in chlorhexidine versions)
- Tooth staining (30-50% in use >7 days)
- Dysgeusia (20-30%)
- Often alcoholic — dry mouth
Hexoral
- Transient dysgeusia
- Possible burning (contains alcohol)
- Rare allergy
ProntOral®
- No tooth staining
- Dysgeusia <5%
- Alcohol-free
- Excellent tolerance to sensitive mucosa
6. Duration of use
| Elgydium (CHX) | Hexoral | ProntOral® | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recommended maximum duration | 14 days | 5-10 days | Continuous |
| Daily preventive use | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Prolonged treatment | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
7. When do we choose which
Elgydium (classic CPC or mild versions)
- General daily prevention at low risk
- For people who do not want to search from Traumacare
Elgydium with chlorhexidine
- Short targeted use after dental surgery
- Acute gingivitis 14 days
Hexoral
- Sore throat and mild stomatitis short 5-10 days
- Not for daily prevention
- Not for MDRO decolonization
ProntOral®
- Daily long-term prevention (plaque, caries, gingivitis)
- High-risk patients (diabetics, pregnant women, elderly)
- Aphthae, mucositis of chemo-/radiotherapy
- MDRO decolonization (hospital cases, pre-surgical)
- Children >4 years who need daily oral care
- Orthodontic patients throughout the treatment period
- Home care of the elderly or bedridden patient
- Patients with dry mouth (without alcohol)
8. Cost per day of use
| Bottle | Price | Dosage/day | Duration | €/day | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elgydium CPC | 500 ml | €8 | 15 ml × 2 = 30 ml | 17 days | €0.47 |
| Hexoral | 200 ml | €7 | 15 ml × 2 = 30 ml | 7 days | €1.00 |
| ProntOral® | 250 ml | €17.96 | 10 ml × 1 prevention | 25 days | €0.72 |
For daily preventive usage : ProntOral® is average price per day — but with a very different level of protection and without the disadvantages of chlorhexidine or hexetidine.
9. Availability in Greece
- Elgydium : in all pharmacies
- Hexoral : in all pharmacies
- ProntOral® : exclusively from Traumacare with free delivery nationwide (online: traumacare.gr/product/190-b-braun-prontoral ). Recently also available in selected pharmacies/hospital supplies.
10. Decision summary
We choose ProntOral® when: - We need long-term daily use without side effects - We have sensitive mucosa (aphthae, mucositis, dry mouth) - We are a child >4 years old, pregnant, elderly, diabetic - We have orthodontics or implants - We need MDRO decolonization (hospital or pre-surgical) - We want prevention of tooth staining - We use fluoride toothpaste and want compatibility
We choose Elgydium (chlorhexidine) when: - We need short-term targeted treatment (5-14 days) after dental surgery
We choose Hexoral when: - We have acute sore throat or mild stomatitis for 5-10 days
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Editor & Editor
Editor: Traumacare Medical Group — exclusive distributor of B|Braun in Greece.
Last updated: May 2026 · Disclaimer: Informative article, does not replace medical advice.
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The entire ProntOral® Cluster
- #00 — ProntOral®: complete user guide
- #01 — Polyhexanide (PHMB) in oral decolonization
- #02 — Pre-surgical MDRO decolonization bundle
- #03 — VAP prevention in the ICU
- #04 — Mucositis in oncology patients
- #05 — ProntOral® in home care
- #06 — ProntOral® vs chlorhexidine
- #07 — From dental prophylaxis to hospital-acquired infection
- #08 — Dental plaque
- #09 — Cervical cancer
- #10 — Gingivitis
- #11 — Periodontitis
- #12 — Oral thrush
- #13 — ProntOral® vs Curasept
- #14 — ProntOral® vs Elgydium & Hexoral