Effect of Listerine® on dental plaque and gingivitis

Abstract

abstract— The present study was performed in 10 adults in order to evaluate the effect of an antiseptic mouthrinse (Listerine®) on the rate of dental plaque formation and gingivitis development during a 2‐week period when all efforts towards active mechanical oral hygiene were withdrawn. The study was performed as a crossover study and was carried out during four consecutive 2‐week periods. During the first and third periods (preparatory periods) the participants were subjected to repeated professional tooth cleanings in order to establish plaque‐ and gingivitis‐free dentitions. During the second and fourth periods (test and control periods) the participants were not allowed to brush their teeth but rinsed their mouths three times a day with Listerine or a placebo mouthwash. Plaque Index, Gingival Index, gingival fluid flow, and crevicular leukocytes were assessed on d 0, 2, 4, 7, and 14. On d 7 and 14, dental plaque was removed from the right and left jaws respectively and the wet weights determined. The chemotactic activity elaborated by the plaques was studied in Boyden chambers. During the Listerine test period, significantly lower Plaque and Gingival Index values were scored and lower amounts of plaque could be sampled in comparison to the control period.

Non-Surgical Chemotherapeutic Treatment Strategies for the Management of Periodontal Diseases

“…Short-term studies have shown plaque and gingivitis reduction averaging 35% (25) and long-term studies have shown plaque reduction between 13.8 and 56.3% and gingivitis reduction between 14 and 35.9% (26, 27). Possible adverse effects reported in the literature include a burning sensation, bitter taste and possible staining of teeth…”

Comparative efficacy of two daily use mouthrinses: randomized clinical trial using an experimental gingivitis model

“…sential oils [12][13][14] and to demonstrate superiority to 0.05% CPC rinses. 15 This experimental gingivitis model is useful as a short-term model to determine efficacy of mouthrinse formulations and has been found to be consistent with six-month clinical trials results.…”

The effect of a mouth rinse containing phenolic compounds on plaque formation and developing gingivitis

“…Because of their low toxicity and antibacterial properties, phenolic compounds are used in antiseptics and disinfectants, but also in mouth rinse preparations. Short-and long-term clinical studies have indicated that the daily use of Listerine s (Pfizer AB, Täby, Sweden), a mouth rinse that contains different phenolics such as thymol, eucalyptol, menthol, and methyl salicylate, may retard plaque buildup and reduce gingivitis (Fornell et al 1975, Gordon et al 1985, Axelsson & Lindhe 1987, Mankodi et al 1987, Depaola et al 1989, Overholser et al 1990, Brecx et al 1992, Ross et al 1993. The effect of Listerine s on plaque was ascribed to its bactericidal properties that were documented in vitro as well as in vivo (Ross et al 1989, Jenkins et al 1994, DePaola et al 1996, Pan et al 2000.…”