Preprocedural Mouthwashes for Infection Control – an Update.

Abstract Body: Since the spread of SARS-CoV-2 and the associated COVID-19 pandemic, dental office personnel have been considered a particularly vulnerable professional group due to their proximity to patients. In addition to various other additional infection control measures (e.g., use of personal protective equipment) that have been rapidly implemented in dental offices, preprocedural mouthwashes have also been recommended by various professional associations and dental organizations. While their effect toward reducing numbers of bacteria and various other viruses in dental aerosols and saliva has been known for many years, there is still considerable debate as to whether preprocedural mouthwashes could reduce viral load and viral infectivity in the oral cavity of SARS-CoV-2-positive patients. In this regard, a variety of antiseptic compounds have been proposed, and numerous in vitro studies and clinical trials have been initiated to evaluate the efficacy of known oral antiseptics against SARS-CoV-2.
In addition, the number of mouthwashes being offered continues to increase, and some manufacturers are vehemently promoting their products for "corona prophylaxis”. The question of potential benefits of such preprocedural mouthwashes remains relevant, not only for the prevention of COVID-19, but also for other infectious diseases. This presentation will review the efficacy of various antiseptics, such as chlorhexidine digluconate or cetylpyridinium chloride, against SARS-CoV-2 in vitro, and summarize and evaluate the latest findings from clinical trials evaluating mouthwashes to reduce viral load and infectivity in SARS-CoV-2-positive individuals.