text: which mouthwash is better? which mouthwash is better 50/50 hydrogen peroxide with water or a chlorhexidine mouthwash?......have bleeding gums even though i got a cleaning done 2wks ago..... the chlohexidine by far.  it is a prescription mouthwash.  it is an antimicrobial rinse, which kills bacteria, most importantly the bacteria that accumulates into plaque and that is what usually irritates the gums and causes inflammation and bleeding. i would not recommend listerine for a few reasons, most importantly because it has 22% alcohol, that will sting and end up drying out your mouth. i also don't recommend rinsing with hydrogen peroxide, just too many bad side effects possible. (ever heard of black hairy tongue?  yep the name explains it, it is an overgrowth of the papillae, a possible side effect of hydrogen peroxide!). did you have just a routine cleaning or did you have periodontal treatment?  in either case you shouldn't have bleeding after two weeks,unless you haven't brushed at all, or need more treatment.  i would contact your dentist.