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Social and news media are in turmoil again after the publication of a new study suggesting that a common antimicrobial ingredient in over-the-counter mouthwashes could kill the coronavirus in 30 seconds. Not so fast, say the doctors.
For one thing, the results of the pre-printed study have not been tested on humans or reviewed by the scientific community at large.
More importantly: The study nowhere suggests that mouthwash could cure – or even prevent you – from contracting COVID-19.
The damage has already started once the virus is in your body, replicating in your nose, sinuses, throat, bronchi and lungs, especially if you’ve inhaled it, doctors say.
It was first suggested five months ago that the mouthwash might be effective against SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19.
Last week, researchers at Cardiff University in Wales published a study that got some people excited again.
These people do not include doctors, who do not rush to prescribe a daily rinse to reduce the chances of catching or transmitting the virus.
There are several reasons, according to health.com.
For starters, the results have been achieved in vitro and not outside of a laboratory.
“It’s interesting,” said Dr. William Schaffner, infectious disease specialist and professor at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, said health.com, “But this has not been studied in real life.”
As if that weren’t enough, the researchers cited “a broad spectrum of inactivating abilities” (in other words: some work, some don’t) among seven different mouthwashes tested: Corsodyl, Dentyl Dual Action, Dentyl Fresh Protect, Listerine Cool Mint, Listerine Advanced Gum Treatment, SCD Max and Videne.
There is no way to know for sure if a mouthwash could possibly kill the virus without actually testing it in humans, as the study suggests, health.com rated.
Killing SARS-CoV-2 on contract is not that difficult. Alcohol, chlorhexidine, and hydrogen peroxide all did, in fact.
It doesn’t mean they can stop the source.
“Some brands of mouthwash can kill certain microbes for a few minutes in the saliva of your mouth,” said the World Health Organization (WHO).
A virus or bacteria will grow back fairly quickly, experts say.
“You can’t sterilize your mouth,” says Dr. Graham Snyder, associate professor in the Division of Infectious Diseases at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, told CNN. “The virus will continue to replicate.”
Listerine itself warns on its website that his mouthwash “has not been tested against any strain of coronavirus.”
“Only certain formulations of Listerine mouthwash contain alcohol, and if there is only 20% alcohol,” the company says. Listerine mouthwash is not intended for use, nor would it be beneficial as a hand sanitizer or surface sanitizer. “
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