Can Mouthwash Treat COVID-19?

First off, a disclaimer for this article:

I’m NOT saying mouthwash is a cure or treatment for COVID-19.

I’m simply reporting on scientific studies and doctor testimonials that receive barely any attention in mainstream news.

Preliminary tests conducted by researchers at Cardiff University found that particular mouthwashes showed encouraging results to reduce transmission of COVID-19.

Mouthwashes that contained at least 0.07 percent Cetylpyridinium Chloride (CPC) had the best results.

While the study isn’t peer reviewed, it showed promising results to reduce COVID-19 viral load.

an ingredient in certain mouthwashes that a scientific study says can help with #covid19 #coronavirus protection: Cetylpyridinium Chloride

(according to an article I found about a week ago on the #Covid_19 subReddit) pic.twitter.com/EwsdzBFL29

— KELLY BACON (@KellyBacon) November 25, 2020

Mouthwash can kill coronavirus within 30 seconds, study finds

Oral rinses containing 0.07% of the ingredient cetylpyridinium chloride show "promising signs" of reducing #COVID19.@cardiffuni @CardiffDental @StantonRichhttps://t.co/k9NRSxkco4

— Systems Immunity Research Institute (@CUSystemsImmu) November 17, 2020

From a past article on CTV News:

In the preliminary report, researchers tested how effective a handful of mouthwash brands, including Dentyl and Listerine, containing ethanol/essential oils, cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) and povidone-iodine (PVP-I) were at eradicating the virus.

They found that three of the mouthwashes they tried eradicated the virus completely in a lab setting. Out of these three products, two contained at least 0.07 per cent CPC and the third contained 23 per cent ethanol with ethyl lauroyl arginate (LAE).

Researchers suggest that ethanol alone at had no effect on the virus, and the “inclusion of essential oils [such as in Listerine Cool Mint] or [the compound] LAE [found in Listerine Advanced] appears to be required for optimal efficacy,” according to the report.

While the report suggests that the use of mouthwash may help kill the virus in saliva, this does not mean that mouthwash could be used as a treatment for the novel coronavirus or act as a cure. Experts say the initial results are encouraging, but more research is needed.

The researchers stressed that the findings are preliminary, and people should still follow the preventive measures outlined by public health experts, including physical distancing and hand washing.

A clinical trial will next examine how effective mouthwash is in reducing the viral load in the saliva of COVID-19 patients at the University Hospital of Wales and evaluate how long the effect lasts.

Researchers noted the clinical trial will not produce evidence of how to prevent transmission between patients using mouthwash. The results are expected to be published in early 2021.

Recently, the FLCCC Alliance (Front Line COVID-19 Critical Care Alliance) touched on the benefits of using mouthwashes with Cetylpyridinium Chloride to treat COVID-19.

***NEWS***

A mouthwash containing Cetylpyridinium Chloride (e.g. Crest Scope, pictured) is now proven to be highly viricidal against human coronavirus. Mouthwash should be used 3x/day to reduce nasopharyngeal viral load. RT

More on page 13 of this link: https://t.co/WsyZy0d80Y pic.twitter.com/l3GDfqYwj5

— FLCCC—Front Line COVID-19 Critical Care Alliance (@Covid19Critical) August 1, 2021

***Per our doctors*** By using this mouthwash 3x/day, the nasopharyngeal viral load is decreased. This means you will reduce your chances of getting infected with the virus, or, if you do become symptomatic, the disease course will be less severe. https://t.co/urffASqa57

— FLCCC—Front Line COVID-19 Critical Care Alliance (@Covid19Critical) August 1, 2021

Again, be certain the mouthwash you are using contains ceptylpyrodinium.

— FLCCC—Front Line COVID-19 Critical Care Alliance (@Covid19Critical) August 1, 2021

This may seem trivial, but our interpretation of the existing data and studies is that naso-oro-pharyngeal anti-septic therapies have massive efficacy in both the prevention and treatment of COVID. Go to p. 13 of Marik’s clinical guide for all Rx options https://t.co/DcEA5H3iRS https://t.co/0ZKZPhIXGn

— Pierre Kory, MD MPA (@PierreKory) August 2, 2021

A mouthwash containing Cetylpyridinium Chloride (e.g. Crest Scope) is highly viricidal against human coronavirus. Use 3x/day to reduce nasopharyngeal viral load – link to report issued by Covid 19 Critical care alliance (https://t.co/8pvm6tu2wg). Search Crest on page.

— frances ponick (@FranPonick) August 3, 2021

The FLCCC Alliance added Cetylpyridinium Chloride to their treatment protocols for COVID-19.

A disclaimer from the FLCCC Alliance:

The information in this document is provided as guidance to physicians World-Wide
on the prevention and treatment of COVID-19. Our guidance should only be used by medical
professionals in formulating their approach to COVID-19. Patients should always consult with
their physician before starting any medical treatment.

Here’s the section of the Guide to Management of COVID-19 that references Cetylpyridinium Chloride (page 13):

Oropharyngeal sanitization. [145] Inhaled steam supplemented with antimicrobial essential oils
(e.g VapoRub inhalations) [146] and/or antiseptic mouthwashes/throat rinses (chlorhexidine,
povidone-iodine and cetylpyridinium Chloride) and/or povidone-iodine (Betadine) nasal
spray/antiseptic applied 2-3 times per day. [147-152] A mouth wash containing Cetylpyridinium
Chloride (e.g. Crest, Scope mouthwash™) has broad antimicrobial properties and has been
shown to be effective in controlling gingivitis and gingival plaque.[153,154] In a study conducted
in school-children gargling with both povidone-iodine and cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC)
reduced oral bacterial load and were associated with a reduced incidence of the common cold
and influenzae.[155] An in-vitro study demonstrated that CPC was highly viricidal against a
human coronavirus.[156] In patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 both povidone-iodine and CPC
were demonstrated to reduce viral loads.[149] In a primary prophylaxis study, a povidone-iodine
throat spray administered three times daily proved to be highly effective in reducing the risk of
laboratory confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection.[147] Povidine-iodine (Betadine® Antiseptic Sore
Throat Gargle™) or CPC (Crest, Scope™) mouth washes are therefore highly recommended. In
addition, nasal decolonization/sanitation with Povidone Iodine Swabsticks (available at
Amazon.com™) may have an additive (although unproven) benefit. Oropharyngeal and nasal
sanitization will likely reduce the viral load in the upper airways, thereby reducing the risk of
symptomatic disease and likely reducing disease severity. This may be particularly important
with the Delta variant which replicates to achieve viral high loads in the nasopharynx/
oropharynx.

Again, consult with your physician before starting any medical treatments.