Can a mouthwash help against corona viruses? The primary purpose of mouthwashes is to kill bacteria in the mouth and throat. In this article we deal with the question of whether it can also be used to fight viruses.
We use mouthwashes primarily to care for our teeth. In the course of the corona pandemic, some people are also using them to prevent viral infections. In addition to the obligatory wearing of masks, safety distance and hand washing, the German Society for Hospital Hygiene (DGKH) also advocated gargling as a preventive measure.
So far, however, it has not been finally clarified how useful gargling with mouthwash is in the fight against the corona pandemic. In fact, there is now evidence that certain mouthwashes can reduce the number of corona viruses in the throat.
Mouthwash against Corona: What do experts say?
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The overview of the study situation presented by the DGKH indicates that some mouthwashes and nasal sprays could partially or completely inactivate corona viruses. This has been observed in nasal sprays based on carragelose and some povidione-iodine. Based mouthwashes are also suitable essential oils and other ingredients. Mouthwashes based on hydrogen peroxide were found to be ineffective.
There sage extract should act preventively against influenza viruses, the society for hospital hygiene considers it possible that this also applies to corona viruses.
With lower effectiveness are also suitable green tea, Pomegranate and chokeberry juice for gargling to kill viruses and other pathogens.
Notice: The results presented came about through in vitro studies, i.e. in controlled artificial environments. It has not been tested directly on humans.
Mouthwash against Corona: further studies
In another study, virologists from the Ruhr University Bochum took on the topic of “mouthwash against corona viruses”. As part of a study, they examined whether Sars-Cov-2 viruses could be inactivated with commercially available mouthwashes. To do this, the researchers tested a total of eight mouthwashes that are available in drugstores and pharmacies. They mixed this with virus particles and a stress substance that stimulates the saliva. After 30 seconds, they determined the virus titer and assessed the effectiveness. Here, too, the researchers came to the conclusion that the tested preparations were able to reduce the virus titer after 30 seconds of exposure.
Other researchers also examined the effectiveness of mouthwashes against corona viruses. As Öko-Test reports, a team from the University of Cardiff in Wales analyzed in a test tube whether the ingredients in the mouthwash could reduce the concentration of coronavirus. They came to the conclusion that mouthwashes with the active ingredients cetylpyridinium chloride or ethyl lauroyl arginate can significantly reduce the viral load.
However, the researchers were not able to find out in their studies to what extent the people who use such mouthwashes are still infectious. Another weakness of mouthwashes against corona is that they only work in the mouth and throat and do not reach the viruses in the nose or trachea. For example, infected people could still release infectious particles into the ambient air when they sneeze or speak.
Recommendations for gargling against Corona
Based on the above findings, the DGKH recommends gargling several times with:
- Saline solution: this can shorten the infection
- green tea
- Mouthwash with essential oils: Listerine Cool Mint (also the variant “mild taste”) and Octenisept are suitable here.
Attention: However, since many studies have only tested in vitro, these recommendations are only suitable for prevention and not for completely avoiding a corona infection. Also, you can still pass an infection on to others. Therefore, above all, observe the applicable safety regulations.
Conclusion: What do mouthwashes do against Corona?
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Mouthwashes against Corona are not a miracle cure and do not replace the Corona vaccination, but can be a useful supplementary measure during the pandemic. However, based on the results of the study so far, it cannot be deduced that mouthwashes prevent severe courses of the coronavirus or that people who use mouthwashes are no longer contagious. In addition, mouthwashes are only effective for a limited period of time – as the Tagesschau quotes in the fact finder, this only covers a maximum period of six hours.
Our recommendation is therefore to use the mouthwash as a supplement if necessary. However, it is still more important to continue to observe the general hygiene rules such as the minimum distance, wearing a mask and washing your hands and to be vaccinated.
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