A recent scientific study recently found that mouthwash can eliminate coronavirus within 30 seconds of exposure to it in a laboratory.
The initial result came out before the completion of a clinical test into whether the use of over-the-counter mouthwash has the potential of reducing the levels of COVID-19 in the saliva of a patient.
A report from Cardiff University indicated that mouthwashes with at least 0.07 percent cetyl pyridinium chloride or CPC exhibited "promising signs" of having the ability to kill the virus.
The report titled "The Virucidal Efficacy of Oral Rinse Components Against SARS-CoV-2 in Vitro" is yet for review, although it backs another research published last week that showed CPC-base mouthwashes are effective when it comes to reducing viral load of COVID-19.
In their research, scientists wrote, ‘the inclusion of essential oils like Listerine Cool Mint, or the compound LAE found in Listerine Advanced” seems to be needed for optimal effectiveness in eliminating COVID-19.
Mouthwashes Tried in COVID-19 Patients
Reports on this recent finding said the most recent test was carried out by researchers at the university laboratory and simulated the conditions of an individual's naso/oropharynx passage through the use of mouthwash, including, specifically, Dentyl and Listerine brands.
A clinical test will next analyze the effectiveness of mouthwash in reducing the viral load in the saliva of COVID-19 patients at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff, with its results due for publishing in early 2021.
Dentyl is the only United Kingdom mouthwash brand to participate in the 12-week clinical test, which is led by Cardiff University's Professor David Thomas. The said trial is titled, "The measurement of mouthwash anti-viral activity against COVID-19."
The study showed that ethanol alone "had no effect on virus infectivity," leading the scientists to write in this project that "the inclusion of essential oils like Listerine Cool Mint, or the compound LAE found in Listerine Advanced" seems to be needed for optimal effectiveness.
More Clinical Research Needed
Professor Thomas said, even as the said mouthwashes quite effectively eliminate the virus in the laboratory, there is a need to find out if "they work in patients and this is the point of our ongoing clinical study."
It is essential to highlight that the study, the professor added, "won't give us any direct evidence" on viral spread between patients, which would require a different type of research on a much more extensive measure.
Nevertheless, the ongoing clinical trial will show how long any effects could last, Thomas continued, after a single use of the mouthwash in patients with COVID-19.
He also said that even though this in-vitro study is very encouraging, not to mention a positive step, more clinical research is inevitably needed.
There is a need for further understanding of the effect of over-the-counter mouthwashes on the COVID-19 achieved in the laboratory can be replicated in patients. Scientists said they are looking forward to the completion of their clinical trial early next year.
Specialist periodontologist Dr. Nick Claydon said he believed the study was very valuable, adding that, if these positive outcomes are reflected in the clinical trial of Cardiff University, "CPC-based mouthwashes like Dentyl used in the in-vitro study could become" an essential addition to everyone's routine, together with frequent hand-washing, physical distancing and wearing face masks, among others, both at present and in the future.
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