Evolution of LISTERINE Antiseptic Mouthrinse

LISTERINE Antiseptic mouthrinse has a 125 year history and is the most extensively studied nonprescription mouthrinse on the market. LISTERINE Antiseptic is the only nationally branded nonprescription antimicrobial mouthrinse to carry the ADA Seal of Acceptance, and it is the number-one dentist-recommended brand of nonprescription antimicrobial mouthrinse.

A hundred years after LISTERINE Antiseptic was created, the importance of preventing plaque was well established. Furthermore, studies showed that most patients are not able to adequately control plaque by brushing and flossing because of a combination of poor dexterity, insufficient time spent on oral hygiene, and the presence of implants, crowns, and braces.

By the turn of the new century, LISTERINE Antiseptic mouthrinse had been shown in clinical trials to reduce supragingival plaque (up to 70%), the development of gingivitis (up to 44%).

Recent research suggests that prevention of periodontal disease is a critical component of overall good health. Although a cause-and-effect relationship has not been established, studies suggest a possible association between advanced gum disease and cardiovascular disease, diabetes, pneumonia, and low pre-term birth rate.

LISTERINE Antiseptic mouthrinse is a broad-spectrum antimicrobial, and it kills bacteria associated with plaque and gingivitis by disrupting the bacterial cell wall. It kills both Gram-positive and Gram-negative organisms.

The alcohol in LISTERINE Antiseptic (ethanol) serves as the optimal carrier to help the 4 essential oils quickly penetrate the plaque.