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Proven Safe for Long-Term Use
LISTERINE® Antiseptic not only carries the ADA Seal of Acceptance, it is backed by over 100 years of safe use. LISTERINE® Antiseptic can be safely and confidently used for extended periods because it does not disturb the balance of oral flora.

No Link Between Alcohol-Containing Rinses and Oral Cancer
In LISTERINE® products, alcohol is an inactive ingredient that is used only as a delivery vehicle to carry the fixed combination of four essential oils. There is no demonstrated causal link between alcohol-containing mouthrinses and oral cancer.1-3

Recent analysis of epidemiologic studies found no causal link between alcohol-containing mouthrinses and oral cancer

  • An FDA Advisory Panel reviewed 7 case-controlled studies, other data and a prelimninary analysis from an unpublished study
  • Phillip Cole, MD, Department of Epidemiology, School of Public health, The University of Alabama at Birmingham reviewed 9 case-controlled studies

Visit the Clinical Library to view these and other studies about alcohol-containing rinses and oral cancer.

Favorable Side Effect Profile
As dental professionals and patients are aware, the side effects of many available mouthrinses can impose limitations on their use. See ngredient comparison. In contrast, LISTERINE® Antiseptic offers a highly favorable side effect profile. It:

  • Does not cause oral soft-tissue irritation
  • Does not cause increased calculus formation
  • Does not cause dry mouth
  • Has no effect on resin bond strength

Also, there is no known interaction between essential oils and toothpaste ingredients; hence, rinsing with water is not required after brushing and prior to rinsing with LISTERINE®.

REFERENCES

  1. Cole P, Rodu B, Mathisen A. Alcohol-containing mouthwash and oropharyngeal cancer: a review of the epidemiology. J Am Dent Assoc. 2003;134:1079-1087.
  2. Lynch M. Re: mouthrinses with alcohol: cytotoxic effects on human gingival fibroblasts in vitro [letter]. J Periodontol. 2004;75:333-335.
  3. Oral health care drug products for over-the-counter human use: antigingivitis/antiplaque drug products: establishment of a monograph: proposed rules. Part III, Department of Health and Human Services, Food and Drug Administration. Federal Register. 2003;68:32241-32243.