Summary: A recent clinical study by Johnson & Johnson Consumer Health demonstrated LISTERINE Antiseptic is 4.6x more effective than floss for sustained supragingival plaque reduction.* A complete routine of both mechanical and antimicrobial solutions including brushing, flossing, and rinsing with LISTERINE Antiseptic is superior to just brushing and flossing for plaque and gingivitis control.
Details: A new clinical trial conducted by Johnson & Johnson Consumer Health demonstrates that LISTERINE Antiseptic is almost five times (4.6x) more effective than flossing by a dental hygienist for sustained supragingival plaque reduction following a dental prophylaxis. This long-term randomized, controlled, observer-blind clinical trial studied 156 subjects with various levels of gingivitis. The research was conducted at Salus Research, Inc. in Fort Wayne, IN. All subjects were supervised at the clinical site by a dental hygienist.
The results of this study (Efficacy of Flossing and Mouthrinsing Regimens on Plaque and Gingivitis: A randomized clinical trial) showed that LISTERINE Antiseptic’s antimicrobial method of action is not only 4.6x more effective than flossing by a dental hygienist for sustained supragingival plaque reduction following a dental prophylaxis, but also demonstrated to be 1.8x more effective than floss for gingivitis reduction. These data demonstrate that adding an antimicrobial oral care solution to mechanical measures can deliver significant oral health benefits for patients because all can work together to attack plaque in different ways. While mechanical methods disrupt and remove plaque daily, long-term use of LISTERINE Antiseptic has germ-kill action that slows the repopulation rate of bacteria and helps reduce the entire microbial mass over time, thinning the biofilm and helping to reset a patient’s oral microbiome to a healthier state.
More detailed results of these studies and its implications for patient oral care routines are published in the June 2022 Journal of Dental Hygiene.
About Bosma et.al. – Efficacy of Flossing and Mouthrinsing Regimens on Plaque and Gingivitis: A randomized clinical trial
The purpose of this 12-week supervised study was to evaluate the efficacy of LISTERINE Antiseptic mouthrinse versus dental flossing in the prevention and reduction of plaque and gingivitis. Following baseline examinations and a dental prophylaxis, which included oral soft tissue tolerance, plaque, gingivitis, gingival bleeding, probing depth, and bleeding upon probing depth, 156 subjects were randomized into four groups: 1. Brush/Control Mouthrinse (Control) 2. Brush/Rinse 3. Brush/Flossing By Dental Hygienist 4. Brush/Flossing Under Supervision. LISTERINE Antiseptic Cool Mint® Mouthwash, Reach® Unflavored Waxed Dental Floss, and Colgate® Cavity Protection Toothpaste were used in this study. Once daily on weekdays, all subjects brushed/rinsed on site; the floss groups had their teeth flossed by a dental hygienist or flossed under supervision. Flossing instructions were given and subjects demonstrated competency. Subjects who flossed under supervision were observed by dental hygienists and corrected on technique. Follow-up visits took place at Weeks 4 and 12. The group containing LISTERINE Antiseptic mouthrinse statistically significantly reduced plaque, gingivitis, and gingival bleeding after four and 12 weeks, compared to the Brush/Control Mouth Rinse group. Both flossing interventions statistically significantly reduced gingivitis at four and 12 weeks, compared to the Brush/Control Mouthrinse group; neither flossing intervention significantly reduced plaque after 12 weeks.
*Flossing by a dental hygienist. Sustained supragingival plaque reduction following a dental prophylaxis.
