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Please note!
This fact brief was originally published as an experiment to test the concepts behind fact briefs.
Readers should be aware that while there is still a lot of useful information in fact briefs like this one, not all of them reflect Gigafact's current methods and standards for fact briefs. If you come across any that you feel are out of date, don't hesitate to contact us at support@gigafact.org.
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FACT BRIEF

Do preliminary findings suggest mouthwash may help prevent COVID-19 infections?

By Lisa Freedland
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YES

A 2020 study found that several nasal rinses and mouthwashes had "significant virucidal properties" related to the human coronavirus, meaning they were observed to destroy or inactivate it. Researchers concluded the products "may provide an additional level of protection."

A similar study from 2021 found that using a certain type of mouthwash on day one "reduced the SARS-CoV-2 viral load in saliva," concluding that it "appears to provide a modest benefit compared with placebo."

Despite these preliminary findings, experts speaking to Healthline offered the following caveats:

  • The virus collects in other parts of the body untargeted by mouthwash.
  • There is currently no large-scale study on the efficacy of mouthwash for combating COVID-19.

Makers of Listerine mouthwash cautioned that "no evidence-based conclusions can be drawn with regards to the anti-viral efficacy of Listerine Antiseptic mouthwash at this time."

This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
Sources
Journal of Medical Virology Lowering the transmission and spread of human coronavirus
National Library of Medicine Use of an antiviral mouthwash as a barrier measure in the SARS-CoV-2 transmission
Healthline Does Mouthwash Kill COVID? Research and Facts
Johnson & Johnson Listerine Usage Guidelines and COVID-19
ABOUT THE CONTRIBUTOR
Gigafact
Between 2020 and 2022, under close editorial supervision, Gigafact contracted a group of freelance writers and editors to test the concepts for fact briefs and provide inputs to our software development process. We call this effort Gigafact Foundry. Over the course of these two years, Gigafact Foundry writers published over 1500 fact briefs in response to claims they found online. Their important work forms the basis of Gigafact formats and editorial guidelines, and is available to the public on Gigafact.org. Readers should be aware that while there is still a lot of relevant information to be found, not all fact briefs produced by Gigafact Foundry reflect Gigafact's current methods and standards for fact briefs. If you come across any that you feel are out of date and need to be looked at with fresh eyes, don't hesitate to contact us at support@gigafact.org.
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About fact briefs published on Gigafact
Fact briefs are short, credibly sourced summaries that offer “yes/no” answers in response to claims found online. They rely on publicly available, often primary source data and documents. Fact briefs are created by contributors to Gigafact —a nonprofit project looking to expand participation in fact-checking and protect the democratic process. See all fact briefs here.