Investigators from the Aragonese Health Service and the Health Research Institute of Aragon conducted a clinical trial in Primary Care with the aim of determining the efficacy of mouthwashes containing 0.07% Cetylpyridinium Chloride (CPC) in reducing the infectious salivary viral load in COVID-19-positive patients. 

The study consisted of collecting saliva samples from COVID-19-positive patients at the time of diagnosis and 2 hours after rinsing with CPC or placebo (water). The results showed a significant reduction in the infectivity of the saliva from patients who rinsed with CPC. 

The oral cavity represents a potential source of infection, as it is a door for both the entry and the exit of the virus. Therefore, the use of CPC mouthwashes could help to reduce infectious viral load, which could have an impact on the reduction of the pathogenicity and transmission of COVID-19. “Mouthwashes with CPC are a prevention tool available to everyone and could help control the transmission of COVID-19, even hours after use and due to its mechanism of action, against different variants of the virus, as indicated by studies already published”, explained Rosa Tarragó Gil, oral hygienist and principal investigator of the study.

As recently published studies have confirmed, oral health plays a key role in COVID-19 transmission and infection. Therefore, it is reaffirmed that it is of vital importance to include oral hygiene as a preventive measure in the context of the current pandemic.