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Do preliminary findings suggest mouthwash may help prevent COVID-19 infections?

Tuesday, December 21, 2021
By Lisa Freedland
YES

A 2020 study found that several nasal rinses and mouthwashes had "significant virucidal properties" related to the human coronavirus, meaning they were observed to destroy or inactivate it. Researchers concluded the products "may provide an additional level of protection."

A similar study from 2021 found that using a certain type of mouthwash on day one "reduced the SARS-CoV-2 viral load in saliva," concluding that it "appears to provide a modest benefit compared with placebo."

Despite these preliminary findings, experts speaking to Healthline offered the following caveats:

  • The virus collects in other parts of the body untargeted by mouthwash.
  • There is currently no large-scale study on the efficacy of mouthwash for combating COVID-19.

Makers of Listerine mouthwash cautioned that "no evidence-based conclusions can be drawn with regards to the anti-viral efficacy of Listerine Antiseptic mouthwash at this time."

This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
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