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A new study from Cardiff University found that ordinary mouthwash containing at least 0.07 percent of the antimicrobial and antiviral agent Cetylpyridinium Chloride (CPC) can kill the coronavirus in 30 seconds. These are still preliminary results, but the authors call their research “promising”.<!– –>
It may sound almost as crazy as washing yourself with bleach (something that is absolutely not recommended), but according to a new study from Cardiff University Simple mouthwash is an effective control agent against the Covid-19 virus. The researchers used common brand mouthwash, such as Listerine. They contain 0.07 percent Cetylpyridinium Chloride (CPC), an antimicrobial and antiviral agent that destroys the corona virus.
Those who want to immediately start hoarding mouthwash, better wait a while. The results of the study are only preliminary and have yet to be verified by other scientists. Moreover, the mouthwash was only added to the corona virus under laboratory conditions. A clinical study has yet to reveal how the mouthwash reacts to the virus in human saliva.<!– –>
Saliva
Several everyday brands of mouthwash contain Cetylpyridinium Chloride (CPC), a substance that punctures the cell wall, leading to cell death. According to the study, this antiviral substance caused 99.9% of the coronavirus particles to be dead within 30 seconds.
Note that this efficacy applies to experiments in a laboratory, where in this study the same conditions were created as in the nose and pharynx of humans. However, a human clinical study to be conducted at the University Hospital of Wales will have to determine whether the mouthwash also responds as well to human saliva containing the coronavirus. Other substances in our mouth can reduce the effectiveness of the mouthwash. The results of that study are expected in early 2021.
The question is also how long the mouthwash will remain effective, although the results of previous studies in that area are hopeful. When researching the use of mouthwash in dental procedures in corona patients showed that fewer virus particles were present in their saliva for up to six hours.
Not a cure
The saliva of corona patients – even the asymptomatic ones – contains many virus particles. By talking, singing, coughing or sneezing, we spread a lot of saliva drops and therefore possibly also the corona virus. If mouthwash really turns out to be that effective against coronavirus in saliva, it can help prevent the virus from spreading. Mouthwash does not cure, because once infected, the corona virus simply remains in the lungs. Also, rinsing your mouth with mouthwash certainly does not guarantee that you will not be infected with the virus, but rather that you will not spread it yourself.
Hand gel, face masks and mouthwash?
While the results are only preliminary, the study authors are still quite enthusiastic. They call their research “promising” and state that rinsing our mouths with mouthwash could soon be part of our hygiene routine – on top of all other measures, such as spacing, masks and hand washing.
In addition, the new research from Cardiff is supported by previous studies on the effectiveness of mouthwash against the coronavirus, such as that of the Penn State College of Medicine and the German Rühr University Bochum. In both cases, however, it concerns laboratory research that has yet to be confirmed by clinical studies. Also against the flu virus CPC was already effective. It remains to be seen whether, in addition to hand gel, we will soon be transporting massive mouthwash in our jacket pocket.
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