Months ago we heard rumors that an ingredient in some mouthwashes might be capable of killing the COVID virus on contact. Then late today a message came in from Beat of Hawaii friend Michael from the UK who said, “I just heard some radio news that a British university has found out that mouthwash kills the virus. Who’d have thought? Maybe hand out Listerine as you arrive and all will be well…”
It turns out that the rumor we heard may end up being true. Certain mouthwashes might be able to kill COVID-19 with a 30-second rinse according to a new study. While the findings are awaiting peer review, a clinical trial in the UK is about to begin.
The research was conducted at Cardiff University, which determined that mouthwashes containing at least 0.07% of the ingredient cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) showed “promising signs” of reducing the presence of COVID-19.
The product we purchased at the time was Sonicare Breath RX, which contains the active ingredient Cetylpyridinium chloride 0.075%. It was the only one we could find then. Since then we’ve learned that Crest Pro-Health Clinical Mouthwash has the same ingredient, as do many other products.
The upcoming clinical trial will attempt to determine the effectiveness of using mouthwash as a way to mitigate the viral load of COVID-19 and the frequency of use needed. Another recent study already indicated that CPC-based mouthwashes may be effective in reducing the viral load of coronavirus. The results of the latest trial are expected early next year.
In the meantime, consider it packed.
According to the a physician quoted in the New York Times, mouthwash won’t accomplish anything since Covid-19 is a respiratory disease. Any protection is momentary from the alcohol or whatever substance. Washing your hands and wearing a mask are the only recommended precautions – and staying away from crowds. I’m sure whomever touted this meant well.
I hear the Jack Daniels Single Barrel is just as effective, more pleasant to imbibe, and does not need to be spit back out. Comes in those convenient little airline bottles, too.
cetylpyridinium chloride is listed on the label (as an inactive ingredient) of act anticavity fluoride mouthwash, but the % isn’t given.
Found it in lots of products but interestingly enough NOT in Original Listerine (which we happened to have in the house)! Bought today – you are my Bible so I follow your directions!
Hi Barbara.
Thank you. Yes, it is becoming widespread. As you may have noticed, two dentists just commented that they have learned about using 1% hydrogen peroxide as an alternative. That’s the first we’d heard of that.
Aloha.
im a dentists and we have everyone rinse with a 3:1 ratio (water to hydrogen peroxide) for 2 sec rinses. this has shown to work as well.
Thanks as always for the great BOH updates. I first read about mouthwash and Neti pot type rinses being effective at killing coronavirus a few weeks ago following a study done by Penn State University. See attached news.psu.edu/story/635101/2020/10/19/research/mouthwashes-oral-rinses-may-inactivate-human-coronaviruses
This study looked primarily at peroxide based mouthrinses. The mouth rinse killed 99.99% of the virus with a 30 contact time. This is encouraging news. As a dentist, since April we were instructed to have patients rinse with a 1% peroxide rinse to minimize a patient’s viral load. Despite patients not wearing masks, a much less than 6 foot distancing and a high aerosol environment cases of transmission from dentist to patient and patient to dentist are very very few worldwide. One thing to keep in mind is that these are laboratory tests. Unfortunately, laboratory findings don’t always translate to the same success in real world situations.
I enjoy reading all of your helpful updates. My family and I are still holding out hope we will be able to visit the islands on our scheduled end of March trip.
Hi Mike.
Thanks. You’re the second dentist today to share about the suggested use of hydrogen peroxide. We hope the March trip you hae planned to the islands works out for you.
Aloha,