Fact Check: Mouthwash won’t cure Coronavirus; can only neutralize the virus in oral cavity for some time, experts suggest
- By: Urvashi Kapoor
- Published: Aug 18, 2020 at 05:55 PM
New Delhi (Vishvas News): A viral post on social media claims that mouthwash kills coronavirus and can be the cure for COVID-19. Vishvas News investigated and found the viral post to be fake. As per experts, mouthwash can neutralize the virus in the oral cavity for some time but will not cure the person who is showing viral loads in the mouth or throat.
Claim
A post shared on Facebook by a user named Kaye Ross claims that mouthwash kills coronavirus and can be the cure for COVID-19. The archived version of the post can be checked here.
Investigation
Vishvas News investigated and found a report published in the Journal of Infectious Diseases. According to the study, gargling with mouthwash solutions may help ‘inactive’ the viral load of the SARS-COV-2 virus in the mouth thereby helping in lessening the spread of the infection. However, the report clearly stated that the antiviral efficacy of oral rinsing solutions against SARS-CoV-2 has not been examined.
We further investigated and found a report on Science Daily website published by Ruhr-University Bochum. As per the report, high viral loads can be detected in the oral cavity and throat of some Covid-19 patients. The use of mouthwashes that are effective against Sars-Cov-2 could thus help to reduce the viral load and possibly the risk of coronavirus transmission over the short term. This could be useful, for example, prior to dental treatments. However, mouth rinses are not suitable for treating Covid-19 infections or protecting yourself against catching the virus.
According to WHO, there is no evidence that using mouthwash will protect you from infection with the new coronavirus.
Vishvas News spoke to Dr. Aanchal Chaudhary of Career postgraduate institute of dental sciences & hospital, Lucknow. She said: “There are no studies that prove the efficiency of any kind of mouthwash against the novel coronavirus, yet.”
“Cosmetic mouthwashes do not have medicinal value, they just help in clearing off bad breath. However, therapeutic mouthwashes have the ability to remove microbes present in the oral cavity for some time. As of now, we can say that therapeutic mouthwash can reduce the neutralize the virus of the mouth but has not shown any effect on Novel Coronavirus yet,” she added.
We scanned the profile of the user who shared the viral post. We found that the user named Kaye Ross is based out of California.
Conclusion
Post claiming mouthwash can kill coronavirus or can cure it is fake.
Disclaimer: The #CoronavirusFacts database records fact-checks published since the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak. The pandemic and its consequences are constantly evolving and data that was accurate weeks or even days ago might have changed. Remember to check the date when the fact-check you are reading was published before sharing it.
- Claim Review : Mouthwash kills and cures Coronavirus
- Claimed By : FB user: Kaye Ross
- Fact Check : False
Know the truth! If you have any doubts about any information or a rumor, do let us know!
Knowing the truth is your right. If you feel any information is doubtful and it can impact the society or nation, send it to us by any of the sources mentioned below.
