A study published in the Journal of Infectious Diseases has discovered that commercial mouthwashes can inactivate the novel coronavirus. It has discovered that gargling with a mouthwash may reduce the quantities of viral particles in the mouth and throat, possibly reducing short term risk of COVID-19 transmission.

The main route of transmission of the virus is believed to be through direct contact with respiratory droplets of infected individuals, produced during sneezing, coughing, talking, and even breathing. High quantities of virus particles are produced in the oral cavity and throat of some COVID-19 patients. The researchers believe the study’s findings might help reduce the risk of this form of transmission and according to the Tribune, potentially help develop protocols for dental treatments.

The Tribune reports that eight types of mouthwash with different ingredients had been tested in the research, with each mouthwash vigorously mixed with virus particles and a substance mimicking the effect of saliva in the mouth. While all of the tested preparations reduced the initial virus count, the study noted three types of mouthwash reduced it to such an extent that no virus could be detected after an exposure time of 30 seconds. The duration of the effect has yet to be confirmed in clinical practice.

Study co-author Toni Meister from Ruhr University Bochum, in Germany, said “Gargling with mouthwash cannot inhibit the production of viruses in the cells but could reduce the viral load in the short term.” He said that this could be useful in certain situations, such as at the dentist or during the medical care of Covid-19 patients.

The study cautions that mouthwashes are, however, not suitable for the treatment of COVID-19 infections nor for protecting oneself against catching the novel coronavirus.

Umm Muhammed Umar