9 Best Mouthwashes for COVID-19 according to Evidence (2022)
The COVID-19 Delta and Omicron variants replicate to achieve high viral loads in the throat. Therefore, appropriate mouthwashes will likely reduce the viral load in the throat and thereby reducing the risk of severe disease due to the viral load in the lungs.

Credit: covid19criticalcare.com
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Mouthwash is part of the FLCCC I-MASK+ Protocol |
Best Mouthwashes for COVID-19 according to evidence for 2022
There are lots of great mouthwashes out there, and this list is by no
means complete. We’ve included therapeutic mouthwashes with proven
anti-COVID-19 ingredient, you can buy over the counter.
1. Betadine (Povidone Iodine) Gargle - Mouthwash with 1% povidone iodine
Customer Reviews: 4.5 out of 5 (more than 1,700 ratings)
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: Number 10 in Cough Syrups category.
The antiseptic povidone-iodine has immediate virucidal effects
against COVID-19 virus. There are 12 published studies on povidone-iodine
for COVID-19
(c19pvpi.com).
Instruction: Gargle twice a day or after having been out for prevention, and
three times a day for early treatment of COVID-19.
- CONTAINS one 8 oz bottle (24 uses) of Betadine Antiseptic Sore Throat Gargle for the temporary relief of occasional sore throat
- TREAT AND RELIEVE SORE THROAT SYMPTOMS the moment you feel a sore throat coming on
- FAST ACTING GARGLE From Betadine, the brand that has been trusted by healthcare professionals for over 50 years.
- 0.5% POVIDONE-IODINE ANTISEPTIC GARGLE
- MINT FLAVOR, ALCOHOL FREE FORMULATION
- Dr. David Brownstein

Update Dec 13, 2021: Retrospective 266 COVID-19 ICU patients in India,
showing significantly lower mortality with Povidone Iodine oral gargling
and topical nasal use (Jamir et al., Cureus, doi:10.7759/cureus.20394 - Peer Reviewed)
Betadine mouthwash side effects (Drugs.com) - Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:
- Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Redness.
- Very bad irritation where this drug is used.
2. Crest Pro Health Intense Mouthwash with CPC (Cetylpyridinium Chloride)
Customer Reviews: 4.7 out of 5 (1500 ratings)
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #25 in Mouthwashes
Price: $19 ($0.28 / Fl Oz)
A lab study demonstrated that CPC (CetylPyridinium Chloride) was
highly effective against a human coronavirus (BioRxiv 2020, BioRxiv 2020). CPC mouthwash is also part of the
FLCCC I-MASK+
protocol for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19.
A scientific review, published in the Journal of Formosan Medical Association (October 2021) also concluded that mouthwash containing CPC shows potential for reducing the viral load of COVID-19 virus in the throat.
- Active Ingredient: Cetylpyridinium Chloride 0.05%.
- Inactive Ingredients Water, Alcohol (15 Wt%), Propylene Glycol, Flavor, Poloxamer 407, Sucralose, Benzoic Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Blue 1, Yellow 6
- 99% Germ Kill with no medicinal taste
- Cooling sensation
- Keeps teeth clean longer
- Freshens breath
- Fights plaque & gingivitis
3. Colgate Peroxyl (Hydrogen Peroxide Mouthwash)
Customer Reviews: 4.7 out of 5 (more than 18,000 ratings)
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5 in Mouthwashes
Price: $9 ($0.53 / Fl Oz)
Chinese health authorities recommended the use of povidone–iodine (PI) and hydrogen peroxide-based mouth-rinses as a pre-procedural preventive measure, while the American Dental Association has advocated the use of 1% hydrogen peroxide mouth-rinse before dental examination.
However, the April 2020 version of the ADA Interim Guidance recommended:
Since SARS-CoV-2 may be vulnerable to oxidation, use 1.5% hydrogen peroxide (commercially available in the US) or 0.2% povidone iodine as a pre-procedural mouth-rinse (Int J Oral Sci. 2020).
Instruction: Gargle twice a day or after having been out for prevention, and three times a day for early treatment of COVID-19.
Instruction: Gargle twice a day or after having been out for prevention, and three times a day for early treatment of COVID-19.
- Active ingredient: Hydrogen peroxide 1.5%.
- #6 best seller in Amazon Best Seller Mouthwash category. Review rating 4.7 out of 5 with more than 17,000 reviews.
- Mouth rinses cleanses and promotes healing of minor oral wounds
- Helps promote healing of: oral sores, irritations, mouth burns
- Oxygenating action removes oral debris to facilitate healing
- Soothes minor gum inflammation from dental procedures, dentures and orthodontic appliances
- Antiseptic mouthwash, alcohol free formula
4. Scope Mouthwash
Customer Reviews: 4.7 out of 5 (more than 800 ratings)
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #160 in Mouthwashes
Price: from $9
A lab study demonstrated that CPC (CetylPyridinium Chloride) was highly effective against a human coronavirus (BioRxiv 2020, BioRxiv 2020). CPC mouthwash is also part of the FLCCC I-MASK+ protocol for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19.
- Ingredients: Cetylpyridinium Chloride (CPC), Water, Alcohol (15 Wt%), Glycerin, Flavor, Polysorbate 80, Sodium Saccharin, Sodium Benzoate, Benzoic Acid, Blue 1, Yellow 5
- Kills 99% of bad breath germs in lab tests
- Crest clean meets Scope freshness
- Cosmetic mouthwash
- Made in the USA with U.S. and imported ingredients
- Original Mint Flavor
5. Colgate Zero with CPC
Customer Reviews: 4.7 out of 5 (more than 250 ratings)
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #730 in Mouthwashes
Price: Check Price on Amazon
- Active Ingredient: Cetylpyridinium Chloride
- Kills 99% of plaque germs
- 0% alcohol
- 0% dyes
- 0% artificial flavors
- 0% artificial sweeteners
6. Major Pharmaceuticals Povidone Iodine 10%, 8 Fl Oz
Customer Reviews: 4.7 out of 5 (more than 800 ratings)
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1 in Iodine Mineral Supplements
Price: $8.25 ($1.00 / Fl Oz)
Most studies use the 1% povidone iodine mouthwash. If 1% povidone iodine is not available, you could use the more widely available 10% povidone iodine. However, the 10% Povidone Iodine must be diluted by one tenth, to 1% strength before use as a mouth wash, otherwise it is too strong and irritating.
10% Povidone Iodine is available OTC (Over the Counter) without a prescription at any drug store for a few dollars.
Notes:
- Dilute by adding 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of the 10% Povidone Iodine into a full glass of water (250-300 ml). This will make the product diluted enough to use as a mouth rinse, or gargle, (approximately 1.0 to 1.2 %).
- 2 tablespoons = 30ml povidone iodine
- 1 glass water = 250-300 ml
7. Dynarex PVP 10% Povidone Iodine Disinfecting Solution
Customer Reviews: 4.6 out of 5 (more than 800 ratings)
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: NA
Price: $9 ($2.25 / Fl Oz)
Most studies use the 1% povidone iodine mouthwash. If 1% povidone iodine is not available, you could use the more widely available 10% povidone iodine. However, the 10% Povidone Iodine must be diluted by one tenth, to 1% strength before use as a mouth wash, otherwise it is too strong and irritating.
10% Povidone Iodine is available OTC (Over the Counter) without a prescription at any drug store for a few dollars.
Notes:
- Dilute by adding 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of the 10% Povidone Iodine into a full glass of water (250-300 ml). This will make the product diluted enough to use as a mouth rinse, or gargle, (approximately 1.0 to 1.2 %).
- 2 tablespoons = 30ml povidone iodine
- 1 glass water = 250-300 ml
8. TheraBreath Healthy Gums - Periodontist Formulated 24-Hour Oral Rinse with CPC
Customer Reviews: 4.7 out of 5 (more than 14,000 ratings)
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8 in Mouthwashes
Price: $17.38 ($0.54 / Fl Oz)
Active Ingredient: Cetylpyridinium Chloride 0.05%.
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8 in Mouthwashes
8. Iotech ioRinse Mouthwash
Customer Reviews: 4.6 out of 5 (more than 300 ratings)
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: NA
Price: $40
There is a new generation of patented iodine-based antiseptics that overcome the negative side effects of PVP-1. A new aqueous formulation with 100 times more I2 than contained in PVP-1 is now available, and the nonbiocidal content has been reduced from 31,600 ppm to a few hundred ppm. This new formulation increases its effectiveness, safety, and shelf life, while also reducing staining, toxicity, bad taste, and potential irritancy. It is now available in mouth-rinses, concentrates, nasal sprays, and hand sanitizers offered by IoTech International (IoTech International).
Key Takeaways
With so many options, you might wish to choose the one which is the most
easily available to you. You might even wish to use the alternating
strategy where you alternate between two different mouthwashes with
different active ingredients in order to optimise the effectiveness.
That said, mouthwash alone cannot be used as a stand-alone strategy to
prevent or treat COVID-19. You must still adhere to your local guidelines
such as vaccination, face mask, hand sanitisation, quarantine, social
distancing and etc.
Related Updates and Studies:
The use of APD (Anionic Phthalocyanine Derivative) in a mouthwash as an
adjuvant the hospital COVID-19 treatment presented no contraindication and
reduced the hospital stay period.
Note: The phthalocyanine mouthwash is on the market in Brazil under the
brand DentalClean Detox Pro.
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Very well done. Very diverse information.
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