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Recommend Brush, Floss, LISTERINE®
The statistics tell a powerful story. Over 50% of the U.S. adult population have some form of gingivitis.1 The average time spent brushing is less than one minute2, and 79% of patients do not floss adequately.3 Clearly, mechanical plaque removal at home isn’t always enough.

The lower the numbers, the better the plaque and gingivitis results.

Results speak for themselves—patients who brush and floss, or just brush, can expect significantly improved gingival health when LISTERINE® Antiseptic is added and used twice daily.

Adding LISTERINE® Antiseptic to your patient's routine can provide a significant, incremental benefit against gingivitis. Even for those who brush and floss, the addition of LISTERINE® Antiseptic provides 52% greater plaque reduction and 21% greater gingivitis reduction (study based on a home-use test among subjects with mild-to-moderate gingivitis).4

The efficacy of LISTERINE® Antiseptic in improving overall oral health has been rigorously studied over the last 3 decades in more than 30 published clinical studies.

Significant Germ Kill Power

  • 24-hour protection against plaque and gingivitis germs when used every 12 hours5,9
  • The only branded over-the-counter mouthrinse proven to kill a broad spectrum of microorganisms, including
    20 species for overall oral health6-8
  • Kills 7 essential species of microorganisms that lead to plaque and gingivitis6-8

Penetrates plaque biofilm

  • Does not affect the balance of oral flora10,11
  • No increase in opportunistic pathogens or resistant strains10,11
  • Proven to work on the teeth, between the teeth, and along the gum line12-15

Efficacy statements apply to LISTERINE® Antiseptic mouthrinses only and do not apply to other LISTERINE® products

REFERENCES

  1. Oliver RC, Brown LJ, Loe H. Periodontal diseases in the United States population. J Periodontol. 1998;69:269-278.
  2. Emling RC, Flickinger KC, Cohen DW, Yankell SL. A Comparison of estimated versus actual brushing time. Pharm and Ther in Dent 6: 93-98, 1981.
  3. Lang WP, et al. The relation of preventive dental behaviors to periodontal health status. J Clin Periodontol. 1989;21:194-198.
  4. Sharma N, Charles CH, Lynch MC, et al. Adjunctive benefit of an essential oil-containing mouthrinse in reducing plaque and gingivitis in patients who brush and floss regularly: a six-month study. J Am Dent Assoc 2004;135:496-504.
  5. Fine DH, Furgang D, Sinatra K, Charles C, McGuire A, Kumar LD. In vivo antimicrobial effectiveness of an essential oil-containing mouth rinse 12 h after a single use and 14 days' use. J Clin Periodontol. 2005;32:335-340.
  6. Pan P, Barnett ML, Coelho J, Brogdon C, Finnegan MB.Determination of the in situ bactericidal activity of an essential oil mouthrinse using a vital stain method. J Clin Periodontol. 2000;27:256-261.
  7. Data on file, McNeil-PPC, Inc.
  8. Ross NM, Charles CH, Dills SS. Long-term effects of LISTERINE® Antiseptic on dental plaque and gingivitis. J Clin Dent. 1989;1:92-95.
  9. Furgang D, Sinatra K, Schreiner H, Charles C, Peng P, Fine D. In vivo antimicrobial activity of an essential oil mouthrinse. The IADR/AADR/CADR 80th General Session (March 6-9, 2002), San Diego, CA. Abstract 2854.
  10. Walker C, Clark W, Wheeler T, Lamm R. Evaluation of microbial shifts in supragingival plaque following long-term use of an oral antiseptic mouthrinse [abstract]. J Dent Res. 1989;68:412.
  11. Minah GE, DePaola LG, Overholser CD, et al. Effects of 6 months use of an antiseptic mouthrinse on supragingival dental plaque microflora. J Clin Periodontol. 1989;16:347-352.
  12. Fine DH, Furgang D, Barnett ML, et al. Effect of an essential oil-containing antiseptic mouthrinse on plaque and salivary Streptococcus mutans levels. J Clin Periodontol. 2000;27:157-161.
  13. Charles CH, Pan PC, Sturdivant L, Vincent JW. In vivo antimicrobial activity of an essential oil-containing mouthrinse on interproximal plaque bacteria. J Clin Dent. 2000;11:94-97.
  14. Furgang D, Markowitz K, Goldsmith D, Charles C, Lynch M, Fine D. Antimicrobial mouthrinse reduces subgingival plaque organisims after two weeks use. The IADR/AADR/CADR 83 Rd General Session (March 9-12, 2005), Baltimore, MD. Abstract 2596.
  15. Pianotti R, Pitts G. Effects of an antiseptic mouthwash on odorigenic microbes in the human gingival crevice. J Dent Res. 1978;57(2):175-179.