Effect of Mouthwash in Reducing the Oral Load of SARS-CoV-2

Abstract

The use of mouthwash as an oral antimicrobial agent against SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. It is important to investigate the efficacy of mouthwash solutions against salivary SARS-CoV-2 in order to reduce the exposure of the dental team during dental procedures. This review aims to evaluate current knowledge on the effect of mouthwash in reducing the oral load of SARS-CoV-2. The article was conducted of two databases and were limited to period January 2018 to May 2023 with combination of the following keywords: “effect” and “mouthwash” and “oral” and “SARS CoV-2”. The results obtained were 21 articles found at the beginning of the search in both databases, and the 11 full text articles were selected for further review and discussion. Chlorhexidine gluconate (0.12%) was effective in reducing salivary SARS-CoV-2 load for at least 60 min. Povidone-iodine 1% oral solutions are effective preprocedural mouthwashes against SARS CoV-2 in dental treatments. Cetylpyridinium Chloride 0,05% could reduce viral load in SARS-CoV-2–positive patients. H2O2 concentrations (1.5% and 3%), verifying a minimal reduction in viral titer after 30s. Benzalkoniumchloride as antiseptic mouthrinse only mildly reduces viral infectivity in vivo, despite its high efficacy in vitro. The use of mouthwash chlorhexidine, povidone-iodine, cetylpyridinium chloride, hydrogen peroxide, benzalkoniumchloride can reduce the number of viruses, one of which is the SARS virus in the oral cavity. Antiseptics are effective in the first stage of contamination, before they enter the cell in the early period.