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Coronavirus continues to spread across the UK, and England has been plunged into a second nationwide lockdown to combat the rise in infections. Mouthwash could help to protect against the deadly virus, scientists have revealed.

Mouthwashes containing the ingredient cetylpyridinium chloride could reduce COVID droplets in the mouth.

The chemical has a ‘virucidal effect’ which may help to slow down the infection rate, scientists from the University of Cardiff revealed.

Mouthwash brand Dentyl took part in the three-month study, which explained how antiseptic mouthwashes could be key to combatting the virus.

But more research is needed to confirm the findings, before rolling out any type of mouthwash as a coronavirus preventative.

How do mouthwashes ‘kill’ micro-organisms in the mouth?

Different types of mouthwash have different ways of killing bacteria, according to Dr Richard Pollock, an implant surgeon with a special interest in TMJ therapy.

For example, hydrogen peroxide mouthwashes flush out debris inside the mouth with a “bubbling action”, he said.

This cleansing of the mouth provides oral irritation relief, while also killing any lingering bacteria.

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“Aqueous ozone is known to kill 99.99 percent of microbes,” Dr Pollock told Express.co.uk.

“Hydrogen peroxide mouthwash is great at killing bacteria.

“When it comes into contact with mouth tissue, oxygen is released in a bubbling action providing mechanical cleansing to flush out mouth debris and help in the relief of oral irritations, and killing germs.

“Hydrogen peroxide – which can be bought very cheaply from all pharmacies – can be diluted as instructed on bottle to create an oral suspension which is very effective in dental infections and has been recommended for oral treatment rinse in dental practices.”

Dentists have insisted they’ll continue to use hydrogen peroxide until more research is completed on cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) mouthwashes.

They’ll be advising their patients to continue using their mouthwashes as normal, and they shouldn’t consider visiting the dentist as a type of COVID treatment, warned Hermes Dental Clinic London’s practice owner, Dr Parneet Sehmi.

Dr Sehmi told Express.co.uk: “In response to the recent report and statistics published, we need to react with caution and not create too much ‘hype’.

“The findings are only preliminary, and a full clinical and robust investigation needs to take place to validate this early research. I am very interested to see what this looks like.

“We use hydrogen peroxide in order to disinfect the mouth and to lower the risk of bacteria as standard practice for dental hygiene.

“We will continue to use this method while monitoring the industry and governing bodies around the introduction of a ‘CPC’ based mouthwash to help lower the risk of coronavirus, only if proven to be effective.”

The best way to avoid becoming infected with coronavirus is to stay at home, and avoid mingling with other households.

It’s also crucial to regularly wash your hands, wear a face-covering wherever possible, and to maintain social distancing.

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