Recent studies suggest certain oral care products may play a role in temporarily reducing the amount of SARS-CoV-2

10/09/2021
Recent studies suggest certain oral care products may play a role in temporarily reducing the amount of SARS-CoV-2 — the virus that causes COVID-19 — in your mouth. Laboratory tests found that specific kinds of toothpaste with zinc, stannous fluoride, or amine fluoride, as well as mouthwashes with cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC), hydrogen peroxide, chlorhexidine, or stannous fluoride/amine fluoride, neutralized the virus by more than 99%. An initial clinical test performed pre-procedurally with COVID-19 positive patients showed certain mouthwashes with CPC plus zinc, hydrogen peroxide, or chlorhexidine significantly reduced the amount of virus in the mouth for up to 60 minutes after rinsing.  We’re working hard to figure out how this initial research translates into temporarily reduced virus levels in the mouth, and what this may mean for you. Importantly, while there is no evidence that the tested products can prevent, treat, or cure COVID-19, or alleviate its symptoms, and the products are not intended to be used for these purposes, regular brushing and rinsing can play an important role in keeping your mouth clean and healthy.