A study by researchers at Cardiff University has found evidence that mouthwash may be crucial in the fight against coronavirus.
Dr Nick Claydon, a specialist periodontologist, said the study could lead to mouthwash use becoming an important part of daily life, according to 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.” Dr Claydon said.
The study found that mouthwashes containing at least 0.07% cetypyridinium chloride (CPC) showed promise in eradicating coronavirus in laboratory settings. While the mouthwash may be able to kill coronavirus in the saliva, there is no evidence that it can be used for treatment for Covid-19 as it would never reach the lungs or respiratory tract.
The Cardiff University study is yet to be peer reviewed, but it supports another recent study on the effect of CPC-based mouthwashes on viruses.
"This study adds to the emerging literature that several commonly-available mouthwashes designed to fight gum disease can also inactivate the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus (and other related coronaviruses) when tested in the laboratory under conditions that are designed to mimic the oral/nasal cavity in a test tube,” said lead author of the study Dr Richard Stanton, as quoted by BBC.
"This study is not yet peer reviewed and published which means it has not yet been scrutinised by other scientists as is the usual process with academic research. It has now been submitted for publication in a journal. People should continue to follow the preventive measures issued by the UK government, including washing hands frequently and maintaining social distance," he added.
Cardiff University’s Prof David Thomas said: “"Whilst these mouthwashes very effectively eradicate the virus in the laboratory, we need to see if they work in patients and this is the point of our ongoing clinical study.
"We need to understand if the effect of over-the-counter mouthwashes on the Covid-19 virus achieved in the laboratory can be reproduced in patients,” he added.
