Listerine: past, present and future--a test of thyme

Journal of Dentistry
D H Fine

Abstract

Listerine, a mouthrinse composed of a mixture of essential oils, was created in 1879 and was originally formulated as a surgical antiseptic. In spite of its known antimicrobial properties it was thought of as a product in search of a use and promoted as a deterrent for halitosis and as a floor cleaner. In the last several years Listerine has emerged as a bona fide therapeutic agent for reduction of plaque induced oral diseases. In contrast to the inconsistent history of Listerine, systemic antibiotics discovered in the 1940's were heralded as miracle drugs. However, the value of prophylactic usage of antibiotics has come under scrutiny as a result of increasing resistance and adverse reactions. Moreover, reports by both American and British professional societies have led to a re-evaluation of the relative risks associated with plaque induced bacteremia when twice-yearly visits to dental professionals are compared to daily activities. These new recommendations and revelations open the door for local antimicrobial approaches to reduce the challenge of plaque-induced bacteremias. These issues will be discussed in the context of Listerine, its intricate and complicated past, and its connection to current uses in oral health and be...Continue Reading

References

Jan 1, 1975·Scandinavian Journal of Dental Research·J FornellJ Lindhe
Nov 1, 1986·Pediatric Infectious Disease·S T Schulman
Sep 1, 1985·Journal of Clinical Periodontology·D H FineI D Mandel
May 1, 1996·The Journal of the American Dental Association·D H FineJ Vincent
May 1, 1996·Journal of Clinical Periodontology·D H FineM L Barnett
Dec 1, 1999·Infectious Disease Clinics of North America·P B Lockhart, D T Durack
May 1, 1965·Journal of Periodontology·H LOES B JENSEN
Jun 22, 2005·Journal of Clinical Periodontology·Denis F KinaneBarbara Shearer
Dec 2, 2006·The Journal of the American Dental Association·John C Gunsolley

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Sep 21, 2013·International Journal of Medical Sciences·Sedanur TurgutNilsun Bagis
Sep 25, 2012·Journal of Dentistry·Kenneth Markowitz
May 18, 2018·European Archives of Paediatric Dentistry : Official Journal of the European Academy of Paediatric Dentistry·N B UlusoyA Akbay Oba
Nov 30, 2021·Minerva Dental and Oral Science·Santosh K VermaDeepyanti Dubey

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Related Feeds

Antifungals

An antifungal, also known as an antimycotic medication, is a pharmaceutical fungicide or fungistatic used to treat and prevent mycosis such as athlete's foot, ringworm, candidiasis, cryptococcal meningitis, and others. Discover the latest research on antifungals here.

Antifungals (ASM)

An antifungal, also known as an antimycotic medication, is a pharmaceutical fungicide or fungistatic used to treat and prevent mycosis such as athlete's foot, ringworm, candidiasis, cryptococcal meningitis, and others. Discover the latest research on antifungals here.