With the general public and healthcare workers seeking new advancements in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, new breakthroughs are coming to light. Interesting data has illustrated that mouthwash may have an underlying link with coronavirus and help alleviate the virus from individuals’ mouths. For those of you that are looking for hope in our current covid-style climate, here’s what we know so far.
The Meyers Data
Craig Meyers, MS, Ph.D., is a professor and well-known researcher that focuses his efforts on microbiology, immunology and gynecology. According to his findings, mouthwash may have a positive impact on virus strains that are nearly identical to the COVID-19 virus that we’ve become familiar with.
While Meyers still advocates that we practice social distancing and wear masks when we trek out into public, he’s hopeful for the future of coronavirus research. His study was performed on SARS-CoV-2 and found that mouthwash was able to kill the virus in a short period. While this does not equate to a ‘cure,’ perse, the study demonstrates an unknown impact that mouthwash may have on the COVID-19 strains we see in the wild.
Researchers used a plethora of over-the-counter products in their testing phase, with certain products producing better results than others. Researchers infected human cells with HCoV and rinsed them with mouthwash from 30 seconds to 120 seconds. Although testing is still ongoing, here are some brands that have shown efficacy in inactivating the corona-like virus in laboratory settings:
- Peroxide Sore Mouth
- Listerine Ultra
- Crest Pro-Health
- Listerine
- Johnson & Johnson baby shampoo
For readers that want to educate themselves and fight off COVID-19 in the upcoming months, speaking with your dentist about these products is highly suggested! Some dentists are asking their patients to rinse their mouths with these brands before their appointment begins. While these products are by no means a coronavirus cure, it can’t hurt to implement them into your dental routine.
Daily Habits That Can Keep COVID-19 at Bay
While the Meyers data is very interesting, we must implement tried-and-true methods of safety while we wait for more research to be conducted. Simple tasks, when performed daily and when we venture into public, can reduce our chances of contracting the coronavirus.
First, we must start by keeping our airways covered when we enter a public setting. One of the most alarming aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic is how the virus spreads through mucus droplets and saliva.
When an infected host sneezes, coughs or gets droplets on our mucus membranes, the COVID-19 virus infects us quickly. Individuals that are overweight, have pre-existing health problems and vitamin D deficiencies seem to be most affected by COVID-19. Here is a list of symptoms that coronavirus patients report once diagnosed:
- Fever and chills
- Headache
- Difficulty breathing
- Extreme fatigue
- Diarrhea
- Chest pain
- Sore throat
- Nausea
- Aching across the body
- Runny nose and congestion
Your Plans Moving Forward
For those of you in Gilbert and Phoenix, you know how damaging COVID-19 has been to our communities. Practice social distancing and wear a mask the next time you head out into public.
Moreover, it can’t hurt to speak with your dentist about the products used in the Meyers study. While they won’t cure you of your ailments, it may be interesting to use them and see how impactful they are. In a worst-case scenario, you’ll brighten your teeth and improve the health of your gums!
We encourage our Gilbert and Phoenix readers to remain positive for the future in our current climate, and more importantly, take care of your dental health. If you have any questions or want to schedule an appointment with our COVID-conscious dentists, reach out to us today. We would love to discuss the breakthroughs with you!
