Yes, mouthwashes containing cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) can inhibit severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in the oral cavity and reduce its transmissibility.
According to a new study funded by Unilever and published on 6 August, 2021, oral rinsing for 30 seconds with a mouthwash formulation containing CPC, completely inhibited SARS-CoV-2 by 99.99% – even in the presence of saliva. Not only that, CPC mouthwashes could also effectively suppress SARS-CoV-2 in saliva for several hours.
What is cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC)?
Cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) is an antibacterial compound commonly used in mouthwashes. CPC hinders the ability of plaque to mature. It can effectively penetrate the plaque biofilm and eliminate pathogenic oral bacteria.
This helps users to improve their oral hygiene, thus reducing their risk of developing gingivitis and gum infections.
CPC can help reduce potential SARS-CoV-2 points of entry
Recent research has found that gum infections along the gumline (gingival sulcus) and within periodontal pockets may provide pathways for the SARS-CoV-2 virus to enter the body, leading to respiratory and systemic infection.
Regular use of anti-bacterial mouthwashes containing cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) may help reduce the risk of opening up these potential SARS-CoV-2 pathways of infection.
What supermarket mouthwashes or oral rinses contain Cetylpyridinium Chloride?
There are lots of mouthwashes on the market nowadays with specialised formulas for oral needs such as dry mouth, fluoride, breath flavours and teeth brightening. We found the majority of mouthwashes containing cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) were mostly the anti-bacterial type from Colgate (a Unilever competitor) with a surprise inclusion by Coles’ own brand!
Mouthwashes containing Cetylpyridinium Chloride currently available in major supermarkets and chemists (in no particular order) include:
- Oral-B Clinical Alcohol Free Fluoride Rinse Clean Mint Mouthwash
- Colgate Plax Antibacterial Mouthwash Freshmint Alcohol Free 500ml
- Colgate Plax Antibacterial Mouthwash Fresh Tea Alcohol Free 500ml
- Colgate Neutrafluor 220 Daily Fluoride Mouth Rinse Mint 473ml
- Colgate Plax Ice Fusion Antibacterial Mouthwash Cold Mint 500ml
- Colgate Plax Antibacterial Mouthwash Freshmint Alcohol Free 250ml
- Colgate Plax Antibacterial Mouthwash Peppermint Alcohol Free 500ml
- Colgate Plax Antibacterial Mouthwash Peppermint Alcohol Free 500ml
- Colgate Plax Antibacterial Mouthwash Freshmint Alcohol Free 1l
- Listerine Smart Rinse Mouthwash For Kids Berry 500ml
- Coles Pro Zero Mouthwash
- Coles Pro Teeth Defence Mouthwash
It’s important to note that the Unilever study results are a preprint and have not been peer reviewed nor certified by journal editors yet. But it probably wouldn’t hurt to pop one of these mouthwashes in your trolley, the next time you go shopping – just in case!
You can read the preprint abstract of the Unilever study on bioRxiv Preprint Server here: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.08.05.455040v2
You can read the full report from our source here: https://www.news-medical.net/news/20210809/Cetylpyridinium-chloride-containing-mouthwashes-shown-to-inhibit-SARS-CoV-2-in-oral-cavity.aspx
Related resources:
Teng, F., He, T., Huang, S., Bo, C., Li, Z., Chang, J., Liu, J., Charbonneau, D., Xu, J., Li, R. and Ling, J., 2016. Cetylpyridinium chloride mouth rinses alleviate experimental gingivitis by inhibiting dental plaque maturation. International Journal of Oral Science, 8(3), pp.182-190. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5113089/
