Frequently Asked Questions

 

Efficacy

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Is LISTERINE® Total Care Milder Taste an antiseptic?

LISTERINE® Total Care Milder Taste (Zero Alcohol) is an antiseptic mouthwash and contains 4 essential oils (Methyl Salicylate, Eucalyptol, Thymol & Menthol) which help with plaque management.

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Is LISTERINE® Milder Taste as effective as an alcohol containing Listerine?

As an adjunct to mechanical cleaning, the use of a non-alcohol and essential oil containing LISTERINE® mouthwash compared to an alcohol and essential oil containing LISTERINE® mouthwash has shown no significant difference in efficacy in plaque reduction following 6 months use.1

  1. Lynch et al. The effects of essential oil mouthrinses with or without alcohol on plaque and gingivitis: a randomized controlled clinical study BMC Oral Health (2018) 18:6
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What is it about LISTERINE® that makes it effective?

LISTERINE® is formulated using four essential oils; menthol, thymol, eucalyptol, and methyl salicylate, which have been found to have anti-microbial properties.1,2,3,4

LISTERINE® is a broad-spectrum antimicrobial that helps reduce plaque build-up above the gumline with continued use daily. No other branded mouthwash offers this unique, four-ingredient formula that penetrates biofilm to reduce plaque.2,3

LISTERINE® provides plaque bacteria reduction action. Using LISTERINE® kills 99.9% of bacteria that cause bad breath, plaque and gingivitis, and negatively impact oral health.1,2

More specifically, LISTERINE® provides sustained and superior plaque reduction beyond mechanical methods:1,2,3,4

  • Antimicrobial rinse reduces bacteria both in between teeth and in the whole mouth, and helps reduce the entire microbial mass over time
  • LISTERINE® slows the repopulation rate and kills pathogenic bacteria
  • LISTERINE® resets the complex equilibrium between resident species in the oral cavity responsible for the maintenance of a healthy state
  • LISTERINE® helps keep oral biofilm thin and helps to revert plaque microbiome to a balanced state over time with continued use
  • LISTERINE®’s germ kill action slows the repopulation rate of bacteria and helps prevent plaque formation.

Our research only included LISTERINE® branded products, so we cannot comment on the benefits of products from other brands.

  1. Johnson & Johnson internal study: FCLGBP0048. Johnson & Johnson 2021.
  2. Johnson & Johnson internal study: CCSORC001793 (Serenity). Johnson & Johnson 2020
  3. Bosma ML, McGuire JA, Sunkara A, et al. Efficacy of flossing and mouthrinising regimens on plaque and gingivitis: a randomized clinical trial. J Dent Hyg. 2022;96(3):8-20.
  4. Milleman J, Bosma ML, McGuire JA, et al. Comparative effectiveness of toothbrushing, flossing and mouthrinse regimens on plaque and gingivitis: a 12-week virtually supervised clinical trial. J Dent Hyg. 2022;96(3):21-34. Includes unpublished data. J&J data on file 2022.

Johnson & Johnson data on file. Listerine Zero Claims support memo. Johnson and Johnson 2022

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Why does LISTERINE® taste strong?

Some of the LISTERINE® mouthwash range contain alcohol; it can lead to a strong taste for patients. However, milder tasting variants are available which are alcohol free. Click here to see the full LISTERINE® range.

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Does LISTERINE® gum treatment work?

LISTERINE® Advanced Defence Gum Treatment is clinically proven to treat gum disease for healthier gums.1

It’s formulated with unique LAE (Ethyl Lauroyl Arginate) technology that forms a physical coating on the pellicle to prevent bacteria attaching, and so interrupts biofilm formation

For more information click here

  1. Gallob JT, Lynch M, Charles C, Ricci-Nittel D, Mordas C, Gambogi R, Revankar R, Mutti B, Labella R. A randomized trial of ethyl lauroyl arginate-containing mouthrinse in the control of gingivitis. J Clin Periodontol 2015; 42: 740–747
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Does LISTERINE® wash away fluoride from brushing?

Clinical studies consistently suggest that using a fluoride mouthwash with plaque-reducing ingredients to rinse after brushing is an effective way to control plaque to maintain good gum health, and helps strengthen teeth1,2.

Scientific research also shows that using fluoride mouthwash, rather than rinsing with non-fluoride mouthwash or water after brushing, can help protect and maintain the levels of fluoride you get from your toothpaste3.

For anyone under the care of a dental healthcare professional, we advise that they follow the advice of their dentist for their specific oral healthcare needs.

  1. Figuero E et al. Efficacy of adjunctive therapies in patients with gingival inflammation. A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Clin Periodontol. 2020; 47: 125– 143
  2. Duckworth RM et al. Effects of flossing and rinsing with a fluoridated mouthwash after brushing with a fluoridated toothpaste on salivary fluoride clearance. Caries Res 2009; 43:387–390
  3. Duckworth RM et al. Effect of rinsing with mouthwashes after brushing with a fluoridated toothpaste on salivary fluoride concentration. Caries Res. 2009; 43(5):391-6.
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Usage

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How often should LISTERINE® mouthwash be used?

LISTERINE® mouthwash should be used twice a day. Please see directions of use on the product label.

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Safety

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Is LISTERINE® safe to drink?

LISTERINE® mouthwash is intended to be rinsed around the mouth and then spat out. Do not swallow LISTERINE® mouthwash. If you accidentally swallowed mouthwash, seek medical help.

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Does LISTERINE® prevent or treat COVID-19?

LISTERINE® is not intended to prevent or treat COVID-19 and should be used only as directed on the product label. For more information, please click here

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