Social and news media are again vague when a new study came out suggesting that a common antimicrobial ingredient in an over-the-counter mouthwash can kill a coronavirus in 30 seconds. Not so fast, doctors say.
For one thing, the findings of the print study have not actually been tested on humans or reviewed by the extended scientific community.
More importantly: nowhere do studies suggest that mouthwash can cure – or even prevent – you from getting COVID-19.
Once the virus enters your body the damage has already begun, mimicking itself in the nose, sinuses, throat, trachea and lungs, especially if you inhale it, doctors say.
It was first suggested five months ago that a mouthwash could be effective against SARS-Covid-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.
Last week, researchers at Cardiff University in Wales published a study that rekindled some enthusiasm.
That doesn’t include physicians who aren’t rushing to write daily rinses to reduce the chances of catching or infecting the virus.
There are many reasons, According to health.com.
For starters, the results were reached In vitro And not outside the lab.
“It’s interesting,” said Dr. William Schaefner, an infectious disease specialist and professor of medicine at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. Told health.com, “But this has not been studied in real life.”
As if that weren’t enough, the researchers “demonstrated a wide spectrum of inactivation capabilities” (in other words: some functional, some not) tested seven different mouthwash: Corsodil, Dental Dual Action, Dental Fresh Protect, Listerine Cool Mint, Listerine Advanced , SCD Max, and Wieden.
There is no way to know for sure whether any mouthwash virus can kill a potential kill without actually testing it on humans, the study suggests. Health.com noted.
Killing SARS-Cove-2 on contract is not difficult. Alcohol, chlorhexidine and hydrogen peroxide, in fact, did it all.
That doesn’t mean they can block the source.
The World Health Organization (WHO) said, “Some brands of mouthwash can remove certain germs from saliva in your mouth for a few minutes.” However, this does not mean that they protect you from infection. ”
Experts say that viruses or bacteria will return fairly quickly.
Associate Professor Dr. Gra in the Department of Infectious Diseases at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. Graham Schneider, “You can’t sterilize your mouth.” Told CNN. “Will continue to mimic the virus.”
Listerine itself warns on its website That his mouthwash “has not been tested against any strains of coronavirus.”
“Only some Listerine mouthwash formulations contain alcohol, and if present only 20% alcohol,” The company says. Listerine is not intended to be used as a mouthwash, or it will be beneficial as a hand sanitizer or surface disinfectant. “
Click here to sign up for daily voice free daily emails and news alerts.
