Oral Rinses & COVID-19

While we usually use mouthwash with the intention of having minty-fresh breath there may be more to mouthwash than what meets the eye. Recent studies have shown that alcohol based oral rinses have been effective in killing the human coronavirus. Over the counter products such as Crest Pro-Health, Listerine, and similar store-brand antiseptics were used in this study. The study was then published in the Journal of Medical Virology. However, the authors of these studies suggest that while these easily accessible products won't treat COVID-19 or protect us from getting infected, they could help reduce the amount of virus a person with COVID-19 has in the mouth and nose, which are major points of entry and transmission for the coronavirus. Along with preventive measures such as face masks, and hand hygiene, they could serve as tools to help slow down the spread of SARS-CoV2.

The scientists behind this research are not trying to say this is a cure but this is yet another additional tool to accompany with masks and social distancing. With the coronavirus pandemic showing no signs of slowing down, Researchers say the use of antiseptic rinses may prove beneficial outside of the health care setting, especially in situations where close contact is unavoidable, such as in long-term care facilities and on airplanes. The federal government's registry of clinical trials shows there's interest in this study. Several planned, active and recently completed trials are testing the effectiveness of mouth and nasal rinses against SARS-CoV-2 in human participants. Yet, more research needs to be done in order to determine exactly what ingredients are responsible for stripping the virus. Critics of this study point out that the studies were conducted in the lab.

and not in the mouth, which could alter the outcome. Researchers also state that certain oral and nasal rinses may have the ability to kill germs in the mouth and nose, but they won't erase “the virus that's inside your cells or down in your lungs.” The virus residing in other areas of the body is “going to repopulate,” so knowing how long the mouth and nose can potentially stay free of virus before more is produced is key.

This information could be extremely helpful in reducing the spread of the virus. In a way it makes sense because these oral rinses are alcohol based similarly to products such as hand sanitizer. I think we have all come to terms with the fact that we may be in this situation for a long time but discoveries such as this one may bring comfort to many. With the vaccine out right now we are unsure of how long it will take to be mass produced and widely available. In the meantime, we can uses studies such as this one to our advantage in fighting the coronavirus.