KABUL (Pajhwok): A number of social media users and some internet sites claim that mouthwash removes the coronavirus from the mouth, but health experts say it cannot eliminate the virus in the completely.
Millions of people were infected and hundreds of thousands killed following the spread of the coronavirus worldwide, including in Afghanistan.
Social media users and some internet sites have published articles, suggesting that some drugs, herbs and foods as effective remedies against the coronavirus.
Malaysia’s Bernama News Agency released an article titled “Can mouthwash eliminate the coronavirus?” The article read: “Mouthwash can rid you of the coronavirus within 30 seconds after exposure.”
It said the preliminary result of Cardiff University’s researchers showed mouthwash had the ability to fight the virus to a large extent.
Another website, called Independent Farsi, also carried an article titled: “Using mouthwash daily as a way to kill the coronavirus within 30 seconds.”
Initial results from the Cardiff University research, which has yet to be verified by other experts- show “positive signs” that mouthwash can fight the virus, the news site added.
Imna News also released a report that said: “The use of mouthwash effective against coronavirus.” It said research outcome showed the ingredients of toothpaste and mouthwash can reduce the load of the coronavirus in saliva.”
Meanwhile, the mouthwash containing substances such as “cetylpyridinium chloride” or povidone iodine, can reduce the load of the virus in the saliva of people,
The use of mouthwash that contains these substances thus plays an important role in cutting the risk of contracting the disease.
Twitterer Mateen wrote that mouthwash eradicated the coronavirus from the mouth as the virus entered the body’s cells through the mouth.
Mouthwash prices surge
Soon after the outbreak of the pandemic, mouthwash sales increased and prices also doubled.
Mohibullah, a druggist in the 2nd street of Taimani area, told Pajhwok after the spread of the coronavirus, demand for mouthwash — a strong antiseptic — was sharply rose. More and more people purchased it, thinking it helped eliminate the virus.
Prior to the Covid-19 outbreak, he recalled, the price of a large bottle of the original British mouthwash was 260 afghanis. But at the peak of the disease, the price of the same mouthwash shot up to 800 afghanis because its sales had increased.
Medical experts on mouthwash use
Dr. Mohammad Naeem Waziri, in charge of the Afghan-Japan Hospital¸ explained mouthwash was a medical supplement for oral and dental health, which contained chlorhexidine, hydrogen peroxide, fluoride and other chemical substances.
There are various types of mouthwash (therapeutic mouthwash, fluoride mouthwash, antiseptic mouthwash) that can be found in the market.
He acknowledged mouthwash was effective in combating bacteria and microbes in the mouth, but it could not completely eliminate the coronavirus.
Dr. Raihana Rahyab, head of the stomatology faculty at the Spin Ghar Institute of Higher Education, told Pajhwok that mouthwash was a liquid that was used to rinse the mouth and clean teeth. Mouthwash helps eliminate bad breath besides killing bacteria.
She said one way of Covid spreading was through mouthwash drops. Research shows Chlorhexidine and Betadine mouthwash helps reduce the spread of Covid-19.
Rahyab added: “When an ailing person uses mouthwash, as a result, it reduces drops. The mouthwash only prevents further spread of the virus.”
Dr Raihana recommended mouth rinsing three to four times a day by mixing one teaspoon of a mouthwash with half glass of water.
sa/mud
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