Listerine Today vs. Listerine From Yesterday

LISTERINE TODAY VS. LISTERINE FROM YESTERDAY

Listerine

Listerine is one of those few renowned products which have ruled globally for more than a century. Since, its inception since 1890s, it has managed to provide sustainable and effective solutions for oral hygiene.

One noticeable thing about Listerine is that its original formula hasn't changed much. In fact, now it is known as Listerine original. One can still find the same formula of Listerine which was used six decades back, in the market. However, science has made great advancement in 1900s and we have also made great progress in dental sciences. Therefore, for curing other problems related to oral protection, various other types of Listerine have been introduced in the market.

These new types are quite different from the original formula. Their color and uses that they are meant for, are also different. By providing this vast range of products, Listerine has successfully managed to provide solutions for prevention of and protection from oral problem.

Listerine is the most widely used mouthwash in USA and one of the most acclaimed mouth washes across the globe. It was initially introduced back in 1895 and was the first over the counter mouthwash. Since its first manufacturing, it has been claimed to cure number of health issues. Some of them were proved righteous; however not all of those claims are correct but are, rather a myth. It is backed up by century of research and is stamped with seal of acceptance by American Dental Association and other medical bodies across the globe. Listerine original hasn't changed its a lot during its course of evolution; in fact its composition has remained constant; however there are many other types of Listerine present in the market produced by the same manufacturer but their manufacturing formulae, intended uses and color vary greatly as compared to the old Listerine.

According to Freakonomics

"Listerine was invented in the nineteenth century as powerful surgical antiseptic. But it wasn't a runaway success until the 1920s, when it was pitched as a solution for "chronic halitosis." (Levitt and Dubner, 2009)

Original Listerine's formula since its origin hasn't been changed much. It still has the same manufacturing procedure with minor changes and the relatively consistent composition. However with the passage of time, relatively new products have been introduced under the banner of Listerine with the old product (the Original Listerine) still being manufactured. There are about eight types of Listerine available in the market including the original Listerine which are Listerine advanced, Listerine Cool Mint, Listerine Vanilla, Listerine Fresh Burst, Listerine Whitening, Listerine Tooth Defense, and Listerine Natural Citrus.

The new products that have been introduced in the market have different flavors and color. Also, they cater to different oral problems. The basic manufacturing formula remains the same; however percentage of Alcohol, preservatives and different flavors varies.

The original formula of Listerine still has 26.9% ofAlcohol in its composition which gives it a relatively harsh after-use impact than other flavors of Listerine. The original composition of Listerine contains eucalyptol, methyl salicylate, thymol and menthol. Ethanol (grain alcohol) whereas the concentration of Ethanol is 26% which makes it a perfect cleansing agent and anti-microbial agent. However, due to this high Alcohol content, Listerine has been also criticized as well as Alcohol results in rather harsh taste and may have side effects as well. As compared to original formula, other flavors of Listerine have 21-22% of Ethanol as mentioned in Table 1. Result is a relevant mild flavor which is made better with other additives. However, still a huge mass prefers the classic formula over the new ones. One new type of Listerine called Listerine Whitening has 8% of Alcohol (Table.2).

Other than Alcohol, the manufacturing compositions of new formulas (which are about seven), vary greatly. Even Methanol which is considered as key element of many oral products is not present in all of Listerine types (Listerine Whitening and Listerine Tooth Defense.) Eucalyptol or Eucalyptus Oil which is used extensively in making mouth washes is absent in Listerine Tooth defense and Listerine whitening (Table 2).

Along with its composition, the intended uses for these eight types of Listerine are different too. Listerine Advanced is meant for Discolored teeth caused by Tartar other than usual teeth protection. Similarly Listerine fresh burst, Listerine Vanilla and Listerine Tooth Defense is intended for patients who had recent dental surgical treatments (Dentures, Dental Crowns, Bridges, Dental Braces and Implants).

Since the purpose intended is different, therefore the chemical composition also varies and so does the color e.g. In Listerine advanced, the permitted color type used is FD&C blue1 which is coupled with other colors in Listerine Fresh burst and Listerine Vanilla; whereas the color used in Listerine Mint is FD&C Green3. On the contrary, the element used to give amber color is Caramel. And in Listerine Natural Citrus, the element used to give a shiny orange color is Cochineal extract (Table.2).

Listerine is one of the most recommended products by the dental specialists across the globe and has shown a consistent growth rate in sales for decades. It has managed to rule out other oral products available and has managed to capture more market share with its new product range. Although it is claimed that new and old Listerine are the same but there are few visible differences present. Not only the color of these products is different but their chemical composition and the purpose they are used for, also varies. Listerine surely, can be claimed as an all-rounder product which has managed to give solutions for oral protection.

Table 1:

Table 1. Alcohol content of some commercially available mouthwashes

Mouthwash

Ethanol concentration (%)

Listerine Antiseptic

26 v/v

Listerine Teeth Defense

22 v/v

Listerine Cool Mint

22 v/v

Listerine Tartar Control

22 v/v

Listerine Citrus Fresh

22 v/v

Listerine Smooth Mint

21.6 v/v

Source: The role of alcohol in oral carcinogenesis with particular reference to alcohol-containing mouthwashes. Retrieved from http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1834-7819.2008.00070.x/full

Table 2:

Type

Active Ingredients

Inactive Ingredients

Thymol (.064%), Eucalyptol (.092%), Methyl Salicylate (.060%), Menthol (.042%)

Water, Alcohol (26.9%), Benzoic Acid, Poloxamer 407, Sodium Benzoate, Caramel

Listerine Advanced

Eucalyptol (0.092%) (Antiplaque/antigingivitis), Menthol (0.042%) (Antiplaque/antigingivitis), Methyl Salicylate (0.060%) (Antiplaque/antigingivitis), Thymol (0.064%) (Antiplaque/antigingivitis)

Water, Alcohol (21.6%), Sorbitol Solution, Flavoring, Poloxamer 407, Benzoic Acid, Zinc Chloride, Sodium Benzoate, Sucralose, Sodium Saccharin, FD&C blue no. 1