Brush, Floss and Rinse: A simple addition for significantly greater results

A new study, published in the April edition of the Journal of the American Dental Association (JADA) shows the simple addition of an essential oil-containing antimicrobial mouthrinse (Cool Mint Listerine® Antiseptic) to a daily dental routine of brushing and flossing, provides a clinically significant benefit in helping to reduce gingivitis and plaque build up.1

Conducted over six months, the randomised, observer-blind, controlled study was undertaken to help understand the incremental benefit of adding an antiseptic mouthwash to a regime of brushing and flossing. The study then examined the results of the new regimen versus brush/floss and brushing alone.

After six months, the subjects using the antimicrobial mouthrinse on top of their normal brushing and flossing regimen exhibited significantly lower mean plaque and gingivitis scores than those using the control rinse. Amongst subjects using Listerine, whole mouth plaque was 51.9 per cent lower, with whole mouth gingivitis 21 per cent lower. Overall, the addition of Listerine resulted in significantly greater reductions in interproximal plaque and gingivitis versus brushing and flossing alone.

Commenting on the results, Dr Lori Kumar, Vice President Research and Development at Pfizer Consumer Healthcare, New Jersey said the study not only reinforces previous trials confirming the effectiveness of Listerine's unique mode of action, but also shows that the addition of Listerine to a daily brushing and flossing routine provides a significant incremental benefit compared to brushing and flossing alone.

"Recent research tells us that the majority of adults do not follow an adequate homecare routine.² In fact, the same research demonstrated that bacteria are often left behind with mechanical oral health routines.² Within this context this newest piece of research¹ helps us better understand the role that chemotherapeutic agents such as Listerine may play as an adjunct to daily oral home care."

Commenting further about the implications of this research on dental care in Australia, Dr Yvonne Sum said that while dental professionals should obviously continue to counsel patients to improve brushing and flossing techniques, the new research provides support for another, relatively easy to use tool to reduce gingivitis and plaque build-up.

"It's estimated that up to two out of three Australians have gingivitis³ and we know many people don't floss, and those who do often use an "up and down" action that may remove food but does not help reduce plaque. As all study participants were taught to floss correctly at baseline and then monitored for compliance, this study demonstrates that even with effective flossing, oral hygiene can be improved further by using an antiseptic mouthrinse such as Listerine."

Since the late 1970s Pfizer has been investing in research to help ensure dentists can feel confident when recommending Listerine to their patients. This latest study reinforces evidence from over 200 clinical trials that have shown Listerine to be effective against a broad range of bacterial species, plaque and gingivitis (even in hard to reach places), plaque biofilm, and halitosis (caused by inter-oral factors). Importantly, these same trials have shown Listerine is safe to use in the long-term, causing no adverse effects such as tooth-staining.

References

1. Sharma N, Charles C, Lynch, D et al: Adjunctive benefit of an essential oil-containing mouthwash in reducing plaque and gingivitis in patients who brush and floss regularly: A sixmonth study. JADA, Vol. 135, April 2004.
2. Ciancio S (Ed): Essential Oils In Oral Health Management: A Review. J Clin Perio, Volume 30, Supplement 5, 2003.
3. Newspoll National Omnibus, April 1997.