Yesterday I read that there had been some study that simple OTC mouth wash may help you not get Covid-19. I’m not giving medical advice and I’m quite sure by this time next week, this theory will have been debunked but I figured . . what the heck . . I’ll try anything.
Except . . I cannot gargle. I have a bit of gag reflex. I try not to think about it and it really only bothers me when I go to the dentist, if the doctor looks at my throat or I have to swallow a pill. Maybe that’s why I can’t gargle or maybe I’m just not coordinated enough to do it but . . I really can’t do it.
This morning I put a little mouthwash in the little cup, swished it around in my mouth, spit it out and then I thought . . it would probably be even better if I gargled with some. How hard can that be? Poured a little more in the little cup . . that’s where things went south. I had to change my clothes, clean the mirror, clean the sink, clean the top of the counter . . mouthwash was everywhere . . even in my hair. I thought I was going to die and briefly, I wondered if I did, if anyone would figure out that my death was caused by mouthwash or would the evidence all have dried by the time someone found me.
I will never try to gargle again.
Donna M says
My mother always had us gargle with salt water when we had a sore throat. Along came my children and they could never gargle. Even now that they are grown, they will not try it. Never realized it was a talent. LOL.
Judy Laquidara says
Honestly, these comments make me feel so much better because I never realized there were others who couldn’t gargle.
Donna Williams says
Yeah, daddy tried to make us gargle when we were kids. After a couple of unfortunate events as you describe he gave up. If swishing doesn’t get it, it won’t get done. You’re not alone.
Judy Laquidara says
I do feel better. I thought everyone could gargle except me.
Carol Pifer says
If I had mouthwash in my mouth when I read your description I would also be changing my clothes and cleaning the bathroom. What a visual!
Judy Laquidara says
Thankfully, you didn’t have the mess to clean up. My throat still hurts from that incident this morning.
Karen Sutton says
I’m so sorry – I have to apologize. I was laughing so hard at the vision of you gargling and it going everywhere. I can do it but rarely – I figure swishing is good enough.
Judy Laquidara says
I’ll stick to swishing too. Heck, I can drink the stuff easier than I can gargle with it.
Cheryl says
Oh, I was laughing so hard I nearly spewed my iced tea all over the place! My brother in law, who is a healthcare worker sent me the same article. He believes it has merit, so I bought a new bottle of mouthwash today. I can gargle, however, so I’m going to be giving this a shot.
Judy Laquidara says
I’m just swishing so maybe it won’t be as effective for me but that’s the best I can do. Vince told me to practice outside with water. No . . not after this morning’s incident . . maybe next week I’ll feel braver.
PegD says
Oh that made me laugh so hard. I can gargle but blowing my nose makes me gag. Bad here in allergy season when I need to blow my nose alot. I have to retreat to a bathroom because I know I’ll gag 2 or 3 times after and my eyes will water. Thanks for making me feel so not alone.?
PegD says
Oh that made me laugh so hard. I can gargle but blowing my nose makes me gag. Bad here in allergy season when I need to blow my nose alot. I have to retreat to a bathroom because I know I’ll gag 2 or 3 times after and my eyes will water. Thanks for making me feel so not alone.?
Judy Laquidara says
That is one I’ve never heard of. Did you have allergies as a child or did they develop once you got older. I can’t imagine not being able to blow your nose.
Sandi B says
I had actually heard that a lot of dentists were having patients gargle with mouthwash before they work on them. (Actually, I think it had been a recommendation by some dental schools.) So sorry you can’t gargle. (I’m ok with that. I can’t eat pumpkin pie, however. It will not stay down. I think it’s the texture….)
Judy Laquidara says
No! Pumpkin pie! I’ll take not being able to gargle any day over not having pumpkin pie! 🙂
Sandi B says
I know! I like the taste. It’s the texture. I just can’t do it.
Nelle Coursey says
I can gargle but not for long. I have a bad gag reflex! Sometimes the pills try to come back up, especially if I am taking some that are those big pills!
Rebecca says
Oh, dear! Now your bathroom/clothes/hair won’t spread Covid!
I can gargle for about wne or two seconds. Speaking of the dentist, they have a flouride rinse they want you to just swish for 30 seconds. I usually can’t make it the whole time. I also have to be careful not to gag on toothpaste. Now with those lovely thoughs, it’s time to toddle off to bed.
Cathi in Texas says
I can’t gargle either. Now all the crazy people out there will be boarding mouthwash.
Judy Laquidara says
I may be hoarding flour and yeast but someone else can have my share of the mouthwash.
Twyla says
Well at least you have made the bathroom less likely to get the Covid -19.lol And your hair might not catch and hold on to a germ it if you should go out.lol
LK Smith says
When I went to my dentist recently, they had me swish with a new mouthwash before they checked my teeth. They said it killed Covid because it had peroxide in it. I don’t know what brand it was, but it tasted like the blue Listerine with peroxide added. It was blue just like the blue Listerine. I am going to add a bit of peroxide to my Listerine and try It.
Judy Laquidara says
Interesting. I don’t think I have peroxide here but I’ll add that to my list. I’m beginning to feel like a mad scientist with all the concoctions I’m trying. Whatever I make, you can bet I won’t be gargling – just swishing!
Jackie says
OMG, I laughed so hard reading this. I can’t gargle either and thought it was just me the last time I tried it ended up everywhere.
Judy Laquidara says
I’m so glad I posted that. It was kinda gross so I almost didn’t but now I think we all realize we are not alone in being able to gargle!
Carol H says
FYI re mouthwash vs Covid. 1. Peroxide is TOXIC so do not swallow 2. It kills mouth bacteria that cause mouth odor but Covid is a Virus and even Listerine has on its label not for viruses. 3. Covid lives in the nose so even if mouthwash is cleaning it from your mouth, it is temporary at best Because you nasal mucous reinfect the mouth very quickly. It has been studied: https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/coronavirus-spread-not-curbed-by-mouthwashes-hydrogen-peroxide-20200515.html
Judy Laquidara says
There is a new, peer reviewed study out that has different information. While no one seems certain about anything, the mouthwash study seems promising. There was a blurb in there about a nasal wash also (NOT using mouthwash).