Can mouthwash prevent the spread of COVID-19?

Can mouthwash prevent the spread of COVID-19? Regular rinsing with chlorine dioxide mouth rinse may help to reduce the viral load in saliva and prevent spread of disease.

The current COVID-19 pandemic has made us realize importance of health and personal hygiene. COVID-19 is an infectious corona virus disease. It can cause mild symptoms like fever, cough, sore throat, loss of taste or smell as well as severe pneumonia. It spreads from one person to another through saliva droplets or nasal discharges when an infected person sneezes, coughs or speaks.

Poor oral hygiene also increases the risk of COVID-19. Therefore, it is necessary to minimize the viral load in the saliva and maintain good oral hygiene during COVID 19 pandemic by following preventive measures such as rinsing with an antimicrobial mouth rinse.

Chlorine Dioxide Mouth Rinse

Chlorine dioxide is an antimicrobial used in oral health to maintain good oral hygiene, prevent gum disease, bad breath and post-surgery. It is effective against bacteria, virus and fungi. Chlorine dioxide is used for water purification and disinfectant. Research reports has proven that chlorine dioxide kills SARS-COV-2, a base virus of COVID-19 and other viruses like human influenza virus, measles, human herpes virus and human adenovirus. Therefore, regular rinsing with chlorine dioxide mouth rinse may help to reduce the viral load in saliva and prevent spread of disease.

Antiviral Action of Chlorine Dioxide:

Chlorine dioxide is an antiviral and oxidising agent. Corona virus is an enveloped virus. They have spike proteins on their surface. These spikes have host binding sites. When chlorine dioxide comes in contact with the virus it denatures the spike proteins (tyrosine, tryptophan, cysteine), deactivating the receptor binding and oxidises genetic material of the virus. Chlorine dioxide kills virus through the process of selective oxidation.

Efficacy of Chlorine Dioxide:

Research studies has shown that ClO₂ has virucidal properties in vitro, including against corona viruses, with a 0.004% (wt/vol %) solution of ClO₂ effectively inactivating 100% of SARS-CoV in wastewater after exposure for 5 minutes, and inactivating 94.4% of the virus after exposure of 1 minute. Rinsing with chlorine dioxide mouthrinse reduces viral load in saliva and aersols and may prevent transmission of corona virus disease. Unlike other mouthwashes , chlorine dioxide does not stain the teeth , does not alter taste, and safe for long term use. Chlorine dioxide in is an ideal, safe and effective mouthwash during COVID 19.

Benefits of Chlorine Dioxide Mouth Rinse:

1. Reduces viral transmission via airborne spread: Corona virus disease spreads from one person to another through saliva droplets or nasal discharges. Rinsing with chlorine dioxide mouthwash may reduce viral transmission via airborne spread.

2. Reduces surface contamination: corona virus can survive up to three days on plastic and stainless steel surfaces, and up to four hours on copper surfaces. Rinsing with chlorine dioxide could reduce surface contamination from infected patients who cough, breathe, or otherwise transmit oral fluids.

3. Reduces transmission from the mouth to other internal systems: COVID-19 has a deleterious effect on the respiratory system. Rinsing with chlorine dioxide reduces the microbial load of patients who may be infected with COVID-19 and other dental bacterial infections. Mouth rinsing minimizes the risk of transfer of microbes from the oral cavity to the internal systems.

4. Prophylactic mouth rinse: Healthcare professionals treating COVID-19 patients are at higher risk of infection. Use of mouth rinse reduces viral load in saliva and may prevent further spreading among individuals and health care professionals.

5. Antimicrobial mouth rinses: Povidone iodine, hydrogen peroxide, and chlorhexidine mouth rinses are also used to maintain good oral hygiene and prevent spread of COVID- 19 but chlorine dioxide is the safest mouth rinse for long term use as compared to other mouth rinses.