Twice-a-day habit can cut sick days short (it's not hand-washing)

Key Points:

• A Brazilian study found that adding mouthwash or an oral spray containing cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) to regular toothbrushing can reduce the incidence and severity of upper respiratory symptoms by about 20% compared to brushing alone.
• The study involved 205 adults over three months during respiratory illness season, with participants self-reporting symptoms such as runny nose, sneezing, and coughing in daily diaries.
• Participants using mouthwash or oral spray experienced fewer respiratory symptom days and reported better social interaction and personal life engagement, though other quality-of-life measures showed no significant differences.
• Researchers noted strengths including seasonal timing and compliance monitoring, but acknowledged limitations such as reliance on self-reported data, lack of microbiological testing, and unrecorded lifestyle factors.
• The authors recommend further studies worldwide to confirm the benefits of oral antimicrobial treatments in preventing upper respiratory infections.