Mouthwashes Reduce Human Coronavirus Transmission

Nasal rinses and mouthwashes, which directly impact the major sites of reception and transmission of human coronaviruses (HCoV), may provide an additional level of protection against the new SARS-CoV2 virus, reported researchers in a study published on September 17, 2020. 

They found 'common over‐the‐counter nasal rinses and mouthwashes - gargles were tested for their ability to inactivate high concentrations of HCoV using contact times of 30 s, 1 min, and 2 min. Reductions in titers were measured by using the tissue culture infectious dose 50 assays.'

And, '1% baby shampoo nasal rinse solution inactivated HCoV greater than 99.9% with a 2‐min contact time. Several over‐the‐counter mouthwash/gargle products including Listerine‐like products were highly effective at inactivating infectious virus, even with a 30‐second contact time.'