A recent Journal of Dental Research article postulates that mouthwashes with antiviral ingredients could help decrease COVID-19 transmission. They would do so by reducing viral loads in the mouths of infected patients when they cough, sneeze or speak.

Studies have found that rinses containing cetylpyridinium chloride or povidone-iodine can reduce the oral coronavirus load; other promising compounds include hydrogen peroxide, chlorhexidine, cyclodextrin, Citrox, and certain essential oils.

Coauthor Dr. Florence Carrouel of University Claude Bernard Lyon in France states everyone should be using these mouthwashes because people can be infected and not realize it.

While more studies are needed to determine appropriate regimens, she suggests using three doses of antiviral mouthwash the day before a meeting (or days of travel/venturing in public), and one dose the morning of the event. COVID-19 patients should be using mouthwash regularly for seven to 10 days to protect family members in addition to other forms of physical distancing.

You can find a list of commercial products found in pharmacies within the body of the article. For example:

Total Care Zero Mouthwash is the “essential oil” carrying mouthwash which could be effective according to the study BUT look at the ingredients list. Besides the Eucalyptus, Thyme and Peppermint/Spearmint oils it also contains two kinds of artificial food dyes, methylsalicylate (the “counterirritant” found in BENGAY topical products) and Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS).

 

Why is SLS a problem? In clinical studies, patients using SLS toothpaste displayed a greater amount of desquamation (loss of a layer of skin lining the inside of the mouth). This has led to the theory that SLS may cause injury to the oral epithelial cells (skin cells lining the inside of the mouth). SLS, by denaturing protective mucus proteins, may also disrupt the protective layer of mucus which lines the inside of the mouth (a denatured protein is a protein which has lost its three dimensional shape thereby becoming nonfunctional and useless). The denaturing of mucus proteins makes the cells lining the mouth more susceptible to injury, INFECTION and canker sore formation.

So what the heck, lets just make our own! Note: if you are using most days of the week consider adding probiotic gums/mints or gargling with kefir etc to restore the mouth microbiome for added protection.

Homemade Mouthwash with Essential Oils

Total Time: 5 minutes
~30 rinses

Ingredients:

  • 5 drops peppermint or spearmint essential oil
  • 5 drops thyme essential oil
  • 3 drops eucalyptus essential oil
  • 3 cups water, boiled and then cooled
  • 8 drops concentrated trace minerals liquid (optional) (like ConcenTrace- also from health food store)
  • 6 drops liquid pure stevia or xylitol (optional)

Directions:

Using a mason jar or BPA-free plastic bottle, add all ingredients together.

To use take a small sip, then swish your homemade mouthwash around in your mouth, gargling periodically for 20–30 seconds. Then spit out. Do not swallow. You can store it in a dark place or the fridge.