Study Shows Mouthwashes May Inactivate COVID-19

Research from Pennsylvania State College of Medicine showed a 50% reduction in COVID-19 transmission using mouthwash. Headed by Craig Meyers, a professor in the college's department of microbiology and immunology and department of obstetrics and gynecology, the team was comprised of physicians and scientists.

Coronavirus are a family of large positive RNA viruses that cause minor to major infection to mammals which also includes humans.

According to the study, a 1% baby shampoo nasal rinse solution inactivated Human Corona Virus (HCoV 229e) greater than 99.9% within 2 minutes while over the counter mouthwashes inactivated the virus within 30 second contact time.

Meyers said in an interview that while waiting for the vaccine against COVID-19 be released, methods to reduce transmissions of the virus are needed.

ALSO READ: How to Keep Dental Hygiene in Tip-Top Shape While Staying at Home Amid COVID-19

Pros

According to the study, Oral rinses such as Listerine have four components: eucalyptol, menthol, thymol, and methyl salicylate, which is highly effective at inactivating HCoV in solution.

Meyers said that clinical trials are important to determine if such products can reduce the amount of virus from COVID positive patients or those who may be able to spread while talking, coughing or sneezing. She furthered that these solutions can reduce transmission by 50% and will have a major impact.

Cons

The study gathered attention online and left some citizens in shock.

However, Science Alert emphasized that nobody in the experiment gargled the oral rinses which means the study is not yet tested on humans. Also, the researcher used HCoV-229e and not SARS-CoV 2, the coronavirus disease behind COVID-19.

Outside experts warned people about overinterpreting the study's result, which might not be relevant to the new coronavirus that killed almost 200 thousand Americans. They also added that the study did not also include whether mouthwash affects how COVID-19 is transferred.

Dr. Eric Bortz, an assistant professor of biology studying SARS-CoV-2 in the University of Alaska Anchorage said in an interview that mouthwash with alcohol can reduce spread of the virus short-term to close household contacts. He added that that this doesn't mean you can use it as a first line of defense.

SARS-CoV vs HCoV

Although both form the coronavirus family, both viruses are different.

According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information or NCBI, SARS-CoV causes severe distress on respiratory system while HCoV leads to a mild respiratory infection. This is why outside experts questions the study conducted in the Penn State College.

A separate study published in June that a mouthwash with 0.5% of povidone iodine, a common disinfectant, lead to inactivate the novel coronavirus rapidly. However, authorities stated that a laboratory and a person's mouth is different.

In an interview with New York Times, Dr. Valerie Fitzhugh, a pathologist at Rutgers University pointed a study conducted in the 90's where researchers inactivated a flu virus strain by gurgling listerine for 30 seconds. She emphasized that even if people did an excellent job in washing their mouths with mouthwashes the new starin of coronavirus infiltrates not only the mouth and nose but also deep in the throat and lungs.

Even with the 50% chance of mouthwash helping in virus outspreading, Experts still emphasized that masks, proper physical distancing, and occasional handwashing can help prevent the spreading of COVID-19.

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