Effectiveness of mouth rinses in reducing SARS-CoV-2 viral load in saliva. A narrative review

Abstract

The detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in oral fluids and the high generation of aerosols during dental procedures has led to the need to seek measures to control the transmission of this disease. The aim of this study is to present the available clinical evidence on the reduction of viral load and virucidal action of different oralantiseptics against SARS-CoV-2, and to propose their use as an effective preventive strategy prior to dental care. There is clinical evidence on the use of various mouth rinses at different concentrations and times for reduction of SARS-CoV-2 viral load insaliva. This literature review focuses on the available clinical evidence indicating the use of mouth rinses as an effective preventive measure in reducing the salivary SARS-CoV-2 viral load to avoid cross-transmission of Covid-19 disease during dental treatment. A literature search of available information from September 2020 to May 2022 was performed in PubMed, Google Scholar and Cochrane. Chlorhexidine 0.12%, iodopovidone 0.5-1% or cetylpyridinium chloride 0.04-0.075% reduce the viral load of SARS-CoV-2in saliva and can be used to reduce the risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission.