"Listerine: as effective as floss."

[Biogirl361]

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Members don't see this ad.

Has anyone else seen this TV commercial? what do you think about it?

first of all, i have been told by a dentist that mouthwashes containing alcohol (listerine) actually encourage caries by creating an acidic environment which kills more benign bacteria than acidogenic bacteria, which naturally selects for the acidogenic bacteria.
secondly, it just seems to me that mouthwash can't disturb the biofilms and plaque between your teeth as well as flossing.

the fine print on the bottle and on the website says "not intended as a substitute for flossing" and "ask your dentist". so why does the commercial say that listerine is just as good as flossing (strongly suggests that it can be used as a floss substitute) 😕

any comments?

 

[grtuck]

I'm not saying that their statement is true or false here, but they are saying that because of some research they did, which gave evidence that it was just as effective as flossing.

grtuck

 

[DDSSlave]

Listerine can't physically remove plaque, so I'd say it's no substitute for flossing.

 

[speter33]

I think that not only is listerine not as good as floss but you shouldn't use to much of it. Listerine kills all the bacteria in your mouth, some of it that's healthy and helps you.

 

[Zurik5]

Short term study, sponsored by Listerine?!? Common, I've been drinking Listerine for the past year, I heard it prevents throat cancer.

 

[badaboom]

Short term study, sponsored by Listerine?!? Common, I've been drinking Listerine for the past year, I heard it prevents throat cancer.

mehahehehe

listerine is alcohol
i remember an article on JADA studying correlation between listerine and oral cancer, conclusion is none

still... comeon, having alcohol at such high concentration that burns ur mouth, and have it in the mouth for 30 seconds each time, 2 or 3 times a day... it's hard to believe that it doesn't somehow cause some oral tissue mutation in the long run?

 

[Midoc]

Don't quote me here but I think that the basic assertion is that using listerine (even the stuff with less alcohol in it) will decrease gingival inflammation as much as flossing will but I don't think there is any claim about listerine preventing interproximal caries.

 

[Biogirl361]

what does everyone think about alcohol mouthwashes in general? in listerine, alcohol is listed as an inactive ingredient... so why is it in the formula at all?

 

[cali05]

I believe the alcohol is at such a high concentration because that is the only way they can get the essential oils into solution. That is what one of my profesors told me Listernine said when he contacted them with the same question.