LISTERINE® HAS BEEN SHOWN TO BE MORE EFFECTIVE AGAINST INTERPROXIMAL PLAQUE THAN HYGIENIST-PERFORMED FLOSSING^*1

A 12-week, randomised clinical trial to evaluate the effectiveness of brushing and rinsing with Listerine essential oil mouth rinse¹

Objective

A 12-week supervised clinical trial to investigate the effects of twice daily rinsing with a mouthrinse containing a fixed combination of four essential oils and supervised daily dental flossing regimens as compared to a negative control 5% hydroalcohol rinse on the prevention and reduction of plaque.

Methodology

All participants received a professional dental prophylaxis prior to beginning the trial. On weekday mornings, all participants brushed on site. After brushing, the rinse groups used their products under supervision, and the floss groups had their teeth flossed by a dental hygienist or self-flossed under supervision. Participants performed their assigned regimen in the evenings and the twice-daily weekend use at home. Plaque assessments were undertaken at baseline, week 4 and at week 12.

Results

The study showed that LISTERINE^® reduces interproximal plaque buildup above the gumline by 4.6x vs floss^*1.

*Sustained plaque reduction above the gumline with continual twice daily use for 12 weeks after a dental cleaning. Flossing was performed by a dental hygienist.