Laboratory study suggests mouthwash can kill Covid-19
A new laboratory study conducted by Public Health England and York and Scarborough Foundation Trust suggests that shop-bought mouthwash can kill Covid-19.
Scientists examined the impact of mouthwashes on Covid-19 in a laboratory setting. The aim was to see if using mouthwash could reduce the risk of contracting the virus among healthcare professionals who are at a higher risk of infection.
Dr Marian Killip, from Public Health England, suggested that the findings of the study could have significant implications for healthcare workers, particularly those at greater risk of contracting Covid-19 due to working near patient airways. Examples include dentists and dental hygienists. If the results are replicated in real-world studies outside of a laboratory setting, the results could pave the way for dental professionals to continue treating patients safely during periods of restrictions.
Consultant in oral rehabilitation for Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, David Seymour, explained that the mouthwashes that were tested in the laboratory will now be trialled in patients. This will provide information about how effective mouthwash can be in reducing risks and how long protection could last. Adding mouthwash to a daily cleaning routine could be a “simple procedure” that acts as “useful mitigation against coronavirus for the dental sector and potentially other close contact sectors,” Mr Seymour added.
The next stage of the study will involve the best-performing mouthwash products from the first phase of the trial in the laboratory.
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