Listerine Marks Another Historical Milestone

Just fifteen years ago, Listerine became the first non-prescription mouthwash to earn the American Dental Association's Seal of Acceptance for plaque and gingivitis. At the recent International Association for Dental Research Meeting (IADR), data from two, six-month clinical trials involving Listerine showed the antimicrobial action of Listerine® Antiseptic Mouthrinse is "at least as good as" flossing in improving gingival health and plaque reduction, especially in hard to reach areas of the mouth. Study Design The two, six-month, randomized, evaluator-blinded, controlled, parallel group studies included more than 600 patients, ages 18 to 63 with mild through moderate levels of gingivitis (but without moderate or advanced periodontitis). The studies were conducted at two independent research testing facilities. Researchers at both institutions compared the efficacy of rinsing with Listerine to daily flossing in inhibiting supragingival dental plaque and gingivitis when used as an adjunct to tooth brushing. To maximize compliance, subjects in the flossing group were provided a flossing demonstration by a dental professional and had to demonstrate correct flossing technique at baseline. All subjects were monitored monthly for compliance with their assigned regimen. Subjects then began their regimen of usual tooth brushing plus rinsing with their assigned mouthrinse (Listerine or placebo rinse) for 30 seconds, twice daily for 6 months or tooth brushing plus flossing once daily. Patient re-examinations were conducted at three and six-months post-baseline.

The launch of Listerine Cool Mint in 1992 attracted a new generation of mouthwash users.

Historical Dateline
1879	Listerine® discovered by Dr. Joseph Lawrence and Jordan Wheat Lambert for use as a surgical antiseptic
1884	Jordan Wheat Lambert formed the Lambert Company to manufacture and market Listerine to the medical community
1895	Listerine to the dental profession as a powerful oral antiseptic
1914	Listerine formula was so effective and popular, it became one of the first prescription products to be available over the counter
1983	Research studies find Listerine fights plaque
1987	Listerine became the first non-prescription mouthwash to earn the American Dental Association's Seal of Acceptance for plaque and gingivitis
2002	Two studies show the antimicrobial action of Listerine is "at least as good as" flossing in improving gingival health and plaque reduction, especially in hard to reach areas of the mouth.
Interesting Facts
Before Listerine, carbolic acid was used to treat germs after surgery. Listerine pioneered the word ‘halitosis’. It is now listed in the dictionary.

In both studies, Listerine was clinically comparable to flossing in controlling interproximal gingivitis and better for plaque reduction. Interproximal plaque accumulation was reduced by 37.5% and 20.0% (p<0.001) respectively, in patients who rinsed twice a day with Listerine. In comparison, those patients who flossed daily showed a 2.1% (p=0.305) and 3.4% (p=0.134) reduction in interproximal plaque accumulation. Both the Listerine and flossing groups included brushing with regular fluoride-containing toothpaste and were compared with a negative control treatment group that brushed and rinsed with a placebo rinse.

In addition to site-specific plaque reduction, patients who rinsed twice a day with Listerine showed a 7.9% and 11.1% (p<0.001) reduction in interproximal gingivitis versus an 8.3% (p<0.001) and 4.3% (p=0.006) reduction in those who flossed daily.

“These findings support the benefit of adding an antiseptic mouthwash to a daily oral health care routine, especially for those patients who don't brush and floss properly,” noted Sebastian Ciancio, DDS, distinguished service professor and chair, Department of Periodontics and Endodontics, University at Buffalo School of Medicine & Dentistry. “The findings, however, do not mean that flossing should be replaced with rinsing. I recommend that dentists and hygienists talk to their patients about what's best for their oral healthcare routine, and devise strategies to target difficult to reach areas that are susceptible to plaque accumulation and gingivitis.”