As we’ve learned in the past few months, washing your hands with soap or using hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol is a key way to curb the spread of COVID-19. But, it turns out that washing your mouth is also an effective preventative measure. In fact, a new study published in The Journal of Infectious Diseases found that gargling mouthwash a few times a day can help fight the coronavirus.
A group of German researchers tested eight different mouthwashes by mixing each oral rinse with virus particles and shaking it for 30 seconds to simulate gargling. When looking at the results, they discovered that every single type of mouthwash reduced the viral load, but Listerine Cool Mint was the strongest combatant, followed by Dequonal and Iso-Betadine (available in European pharmacies). And even better news? After three rinses, the mouthwashes had all but eliminated any trace of the virus.
This is important because evidence shows that COVID-19 is transmitted through respiratory droplets that are released when you sneeze, cough, talk, or sing. And since there are high viral loads in the nasal cavity, throat, and mouth, it’s essential to keep those orifices clean to slow the risk and rate of transmission.