Mouthwash can kill COVID-19 within 30 seconds of exposure, a new study has revealed.
Conducted at Cardiff University, the research concluded that mouthwash containing 0.07% of cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) shows signs of eradicating the virus.
CPC Technology is already widely used by the dental industry and is known for its antibacterial and anti-virus benefits. The preliminary lab test results show that, in addition to helping to prevent many oral diseases and problems, it could have an important role as an additional preventative measure to reduce the transmission of coronavirus.
Carried out by a team at the university’s laboratory, the study imitated the conditions of a throat/nasal passage using an over-the-counter mouthwash brand.
The findings – which are yet to be peer reviewed – support the conclusions of another recent study by Unilever. This also revealed CPC-based mouthwashes as successful in combating the virus.
The virus that causes Covid-19 spreads primarily through droplets of saliva or discharge from the nose, which has been detected before, during and after the acute phase of illness, as well as in asymptomatic cases. Therefore, reducing the viral load in the mouth could help to reduce transmission. The findings indicate that mouthwash could become an important addition to other protective measures like handwashing, physical distancing and mask wearing.
Further research is required to determine whether this is as effective in patients and if the viral load in saliva is reduced with these mouth rinses.
However, the study will not provide direct evidence on viral transmission between patients; this would require a different type of study on a significantly larger scale.
Since the beginning of the pandemic there has been speculation that mouth rinses may have a significant effect which is why we at 5 have chosen from the outset to include this in our pre-appointment protocol.
However, although these studies look promising until research is conclusive and peer reviewed, the primary advice for the first line of defence against COVID-19 is to wear a mask.