One mouthwash reduces the risk of infection

In a study that is the first of its kind, researchers from Claude Bernard Lyon 1 University in Lyon in France have shown that Curaprox’s ‘Perio plus’ regenerate mouthwash reduces the risk of transmitting the COVID-19 virus. The mouthwash reduces the viral load in the mouth by 71% after a single rinse, aiding the immune system in controlling the start of infection.

Our mouths are central to the spread of the coronavirus: the virus has been identified in the saliva of 91.7% of people infected. Moreover, disease transmission through saliva is possible from a distance of up to 3 m, even by patients without symptoms. Given the strong presence of the virus in the mouth and its easy spread through salivary particles, the concept of a mouthwash that could prevent infection through simple rinsing is extremely attractive, especially for dental professionals. It is with these facts in mind that researchers set out to identify a formulation that could reduce the viral load in the mouth.

A novel formulation
In their search for an effective antiviral mouthwash, the researchers identified two substances that, when combined, proved particularly promising in reducing the amount of the COVID-19 virus in the mouth:
β-cyclodextrin and Citrox®. Citrox® is a newcomer to oral health products. The substance is a mix of organic plant compounds that have a broad antimicrobial effect without disrupting the mouth’s natural balance.

A single rinse is enough
The 176 COVID-19 patients who took part in the study rinsed three times daily with ‘Perio plus’ regenerate over the course of a week. The researchers found that a single rinse with the mouthwash had a significant effect: the first rinse reduced the viral load in the mouth by 71% after only 4 hours. After seven days, the mouthwash proved to have a particularly beneficial effect in reducing the viral load in the saliva of those patients who initially had a very high viral load.

An important breakthrough
The discovery is the first in vivo study demonstrating the effect of a mouthwash in inhibiting infection with the virus that
causes COVID-19. According to co-author Prof. Denis Bourgeois, ‘Perio plus’ regenerate acts as a barrier measure against the spread of the virus. “A 1-minute rinse with a β-cyclodextrin and Citrox mouthwash reduces the presence of the COVID-19 virus in the mouth by 71%,” Bourgeois explained. “This significantly reduces the risk of coronavirus contamination from saliva.” The discovery has interesting implications for fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as for future antiviral preventative measures. Be it for personal or clinical use, antiviral mouthwashes could play an important role in reducing the general risk of contamination. For more information, visit www.perioplus.com.