Can Mouthwash Kill COVID-19?

Scientists around the world have been working hard to decrease and eliminate the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Recently, several studies were published regarding the use of nasal and oral rinses to kill COVID-19.

Studies have confirmed that certain mouthwashes may inactivate the COVID-19 virus in your mouth with 30 or more seconds of contact.³

However, these findings do not confirm that mouthwash can help reduce the transmission of COVID-19. Mouthwash and nasal rinses are not effective treatments for the virus. 

Even the makers of Listerine provided a statement on the subject. The brand confirmed that were was no evidence-based research on the effectiveness of using Listerine mouthwash to prevent the spread of COVID-19.⁸

More research is necessary to confirm the virucidal properties of mouthwashes and whether they can help stop the spread of COVID-19.

What Mouthwashes Have Virucidal Properties? (According to Research)

In July, The Journal of Infectious Diseases published a study from a team of scientists in Germany. The study showed how over-the-counter mouthwashes affected the viral load of three different strains of Covid.¹

All the mouthwashes were effective at reducing the viral load.

However, only three mouthwashes could reduce viral inactivity by up to three orders of magnitude to background levels.

These mouthwashes were: 

• Dequonal
• Iso-Betadine mouthwash 1.0%
• Listerine Cool Mint

In September, researchers from Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine published an article in the Journal of Medical Virology.

The article detailed the results of their experiments with nasal and oral rinses. Their research showed similar results. 

Three Oral rinses with hydrogen peroxide as the active ingredient could reduce the virus by 90 to 99 percent.²

These mouthwashes included: 

• Peroxide Sore Mouth
• Orajel Antiseptic Rinse
• 1.5% H2O2 

Crest Pro-Health was more effective. It decreased infectious virus rates by 99.9 or 99.99 percent.

Listerine Antiseptic was the most effective oral rinse in this trial. It decreased the infectious virus levels by greater than 99.99 percent.

A third study by Cardiff University published their initial findings in November. It also aligned with the other studies.³

The Effectiveness of Nasal Rinses

Before the Covid-19 Pandemic, nasal sprays were used effectively to decrease bacterial and viral loads from the sinuses.

Now scientists are actively studying if nasal rinses can help combat the viral load and transmission of Covid. 

The study at Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine also examined how nasal rinses can inactivate the virus.

They noted that the over-the-counter saline nasal rinse (Neti Pot) had no effect on the virus.

However, a one percent baby shampoo solution could inactivate more than 99 percent of the virus. Inactivity occurred after one minute of contact. It inactivated over 99.9 percent of the virus after two minutes of contact.²

Some studies show that an antiseptic nasal spray may effectively kill the virus in as little as 15 seconds.⁷

Some hospitals are using this method to protect busy areas like waiting rooms and clinics.

What Do These Findings Mean?

These results show that there is virucidal potential in both oral and nasal rinses.

More research is needed to confirm the virucidal abilities of mouthwashes. More research is also necessary to determine if mouthwash or nasal rinses can help reduce the spread of COVID-19.

You should not use mouthwash as a replacement for other methods of risk reduction.

Mouthwash is not a cure for COVID-19.

Certain mouthwashes may have the potential to help with risk reduction. This is especially in dental settings where aerosol production is high.

However, to stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus, you should continue to do the following:

• Wear a mask
• Social distance
• Wash your hands often