Since January, health authorities have identified more than 6 million COVID-19 cases throughout the United States. In an effort to mitigate the virus’ spread, state and local authorities throughout the country have moved to limit large gatherings, closed non-essential businesses and ordered residents to stay in their homes, triggering a near-total national shutdown. Things have reopened in phases since then, but the numbers are still increasing.
Scientists have claimed that just 30 seconds of gargling with mouthwashes might help reduce the transmission of the coronavirus. Experts in Germany found that the dental product was effective in ‘inactivating’ SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.
SARS-CoV-2 viruses can be inactivated using certain commercially available mouthwashes. This was demonstrated in cell culture experiments by virologists from Ruhr-Universität Bochum together with colleagues from Jena, Ulm, Duisburg-Essen, Nuremberg and Bremen.
High viral loads could be detected in the oral cavity and throats of some COVID-19 patients. The use of mouthwashes that are effective against SARS-CoV-2 could thus help reduce the viral load and possibly the risk of coronavirus transmission over a short term.
However, mouth rinses are not suitable for treating COVID-19 infections or protecting yourself against catching the virus.
The results of this study are described by the team headed by Toni Meister, Professor Stephanie Pfänder and Professor Eike Steinmann from the Bochum-based Molecular and Medical Virology research group in the Journal of Infectious Diseases, published online on 29 July 2020. A review of laboratory results in clinical trials is pending.
Eight mouthwashes in a cell culture test
The researchers tested eight mouthwashes with different ingredients that are available in pharmacies or drugstores in Germany. They mixed each mouthwash with virus particles and an interfering substance, which was intended to recreate the effect of saliva in the mouth.
The mixture was then shaken for 30 seconds to stimulate the effect of gargling. They then used VERO E6 cells, which are particularly receptive to SARS-CoV-2, to determine the virus load. In order to assess the efficiency of the mouthwashes, the researchers also treated the virus suspensions with cell culture medium instead of the mouthwash before adding them to the cell culture.
All of the tested preparations reduced the initial virus load. Three mouthwashes reduced it to such an extent that no virus could be detected after an exposure time of 30 seconds. Whether this effect is confirmed in clinical practice and how long it lasts must be investigated in further studies.
The study’s author’s point out that mouthwashes are not suitable for treating COVID-19. “Gargling with a mouthwash cannot inhibit the production of viruses in the cells,” explains Toni Meister, “but could reduce the viral load in the short term where the greatest potential for infection comes from namely in the oral cavity and throat, and this could be useful in certain situations, such as at the dentist or during the medical care of COVID-19 patients.”
Clinical studies in progress
The Bochum group is examining the possibilities of a clinical study on the efficacy of mouthwashes on SARS-CoV-2 viruses, during which the scientists want to test whether the effect can also be detected in patients and how long it lasts. Similar studies are already underway in San Francisco; the Bochum team is in contact with the American researchers.
They claim that swashing the liquid could reduce the virus load, which is the amount of particles being carried by an infected individual – in the throat and in turn limit transmission. This proves that mouthwashes could reduce the risk of coronavirus transmission.
Similar studies are already underway in San Francisco, as well as in the UK. Back in May, scientists at Cardiff University suggested that gargling mouthwash may help kill the new coronavirus. Meanwhile, experts from Edinburgh University claimed saltwater may be just as effective in fighting the virus. Both teams called for urgent research into the potential benefits of using the rinse to combat COVID-19.
To improve your oral health, you need to brush, floss, rinse and repeat. Preventative measures like brushing and flossing are a must, as it might be a while until your next dental appointment. Staying hydrated throughout the day will also help remove plaque and bacteria. The no.1 rule in improving oral hygiene is making sure we brush, and follow it up by using a mouthwash and dental floss, twice a day. Here are a few great oral rinse products you could definitely depend on.
The Listerine Zero Mouthwash is less intense with a zero-alcohol formula that cleans deep and kills millions of bad breath germs for a cleaner, fresher mouth!
This fresh mint anti-cavity mouthwash works in 6 ways for a cleaner, healthier mouth.
- Listerine Freshburst Antiseptic
Adding a 30-second rinse with this Listerine Antiseptic to your morning and night-time routines is all it will take to get 24-hours protection against plaque and gingivitis causing germs.
In a clinical study, this mouth wash was shown to reduce 52% more plaque and 21% more gingivitis than brushing and flossing alone.
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