Mouthwash may become another coronavirus preventive measure.
A new study from Cardiff University in the United Kingdom found that certain types of mouthwash kill the coronavirus in saliva within 30 seconds of contact. The study, which has not yet been peer-reviewed, showed that mouthwashes containing 0.07% of a substance called cetylpyridinium chloride eradicated the virus in laboratory tests.
Dr. Nick Claydon, a dentist and lecturer at the University of Bristol, told the BBC, “If these positive results are reflected in Cardiff University’s clinical trial, CPC-based mouthwashes … could become an important addition to people’s routine, together with hand-washing, physical distancing, and wearing masks, both now and in the future.”
While the research is promising, it did not look at whether mouthwash kills the coronavirus in the saliva of actual COVID-19 patients. Cardiff University is conducting a clinical trial on the effect of mouthwash on actual patients at University Hospital of Wales. Results are expected early next year.
Dr. Richard Stanton, the lead author on the study, warned that people should not substitute mouthwash for other preventive measures.
“People should continue to follow the preventive measures issued by the U.K. government, including washing hands frequently and maintaining social distance,” Stanton said.
