A new
study shows mouthwash may help fight against the coronavirus.
Scientists at Cardiff University say that mouthwashes containing at least 0.07%
cetypyridinium chloride (CPC) showed "promising signs" of being able
to eradicate the virus when exposed to it in a
lab.
Researchers
say some over-the-counter mouthwashes, like Listerine, were able to destroy the
virus within 30 seconds of exposure.
However, these results do
not prove it is an effective treatment for COVID-19.
Mouthwash does not reach the
respiratory tract where COVID-19 attacks. "Yes. There is some data
out there -- I am not saying it's great data -- that fill-in-the-blank
substance inactivates or inhibits replication of coronavirus," says Dr. Graham Snyder, associate professor in the
Division of Infectious Diseases at the University of Pittsburgh School of
Medicine.
Snyder points out that none of the studies show that mouthwash can
reduce the risk of either catching or transmitting the virus.