Evaluating the Antiviral Properties of Povidone-Iodine in Oral Healthcare

A recent review illustrates the role of povidone-iodine (PVP-I) in reducing viral load when incorporated into mouthwash solutions. It consolidated and presented the available literature on mouthwashes containing antimicrobial agents, with the specific aim of making this information more readily accessible to dental professionals.

The review involved comprehensive database searches, including PubMed (Medline), LILACS, EMBASE, and EBSCO, guided by predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria. This review was particularly concerned with studies investigating the effectiveness of mouthwashes in diminishing viral load.

Ultimately, the review incorporated a total of 71 articles for analysis. Among the mouthwash formulations examined, prominent antimicrobial agents identified were chlorhexidine (CHX), povidone-iodine (PVP-I), essential oils (EO), cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and other substances (OTHERS).

Of significant note, the review found that essential oils, cetylpyridinium chloride and povidone-iodine (PVP-I) demonstrated substantial antiviral potential against the common viruses typically found in the oral cavity. These formulations exhibited no notable short-term side effects, rendering them highly practical choices for integration into standard clinical protocols as pre-procedural measures to combat various types of viruses.

Source: Toschi EM, Mercado LW, Henz SL. Antiviral effect of oral antiseptic solutions commonly used in dentistry practice: A scoping review. Dentistry Review. 2023;3(1):100064. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dentre.2023.100064