Clinical Evidence Presented at IADR This Week Shows Listerine Improves Protection Against Plaque and Gingivitis

At the General Session & Exhibition of the International Association for Dental Research (IADR) this week in New Orleans, Louisiana, Kenvue, Inc is presenting new data indicating improved protection against plaque, a reduced prevalence of gingivitis, and/or fresher breath with the addition of the company’s Listerine® products to a daily routine that also includes brushing and flossing.

The IADR meeting is being held in conjunction with the annual meetings of the American Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research (AADOCR) and the Canadian Association for Dental Research (CADR) from March 13-16 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans.

Kenvue states that in 2 oral presentations and 2 poster discussions, researchers are sharing data supporting the clinical effectiveness of several of the company’s popular products, including Listerine® Cool Mint and Cool Mint Zero Alcohol mouthwashes, Listerine® Clinical Solutions Antiseptic Gum Health Mouthwash, and Listerine® Clinical Solutions Breath Defense Mouthwash. The findings demonstrate better protection against plaque, less prevalence of gingivitis, and improved fresher breath with the use of these products in a daily oral hygiene regimen that includes brushing and flossing, according to Kenvue.

“For clinicians who routinely recommend oral health regimens to patients, it’s important to be aware of the latest evidence to support that recommendation,” Karina Ribeiro, global head of R&D, essential health at Kenvue, says in a press release this week. “IADR is a great platform to discuss our latest findings with thousands of the world’s leading scientists, industry professionals, academicians, and practicing healthcare providers. Our researchers look forward to convening with colleagues across the field of oral health to share our commitment to science-backed, care-forward solutions that deliver safe, effective, everyday care.”

Listerine is a brand of Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc., a subsidiary of Kenvue.

Kenvue experts, along with external research partners including Kimberly Milleman, RDH, PhD, are presenting findings this week from 4 studies including:

• Plaque-Free Sites in a 12-Week Supervised Mouthrinse/Floss Trial (Milleman KR, et al), presented by lead author Kimberly Ruth Milleman, RDH, BSEd, MS, PhD, global clinical director of Salus Research, Inc., in Indiana.

In this randomized trial, the researchers tested the plaque-controlling efficacy of a flossing and/or brushing routine with an essential oil mouthwash. In evaluating the percentage of whole-mouth plaque-free sites at weeks 4 and 12, statistically significant differences favored groups whose regimens included mouthwash, the study states.

• Flossing Time/TechniqueCompetency in Supervised Plaque, Gingivitis Clinical Trial(Bosma ML, et al). Authorand Kenvue R&D Manager Gabriella John is the presenter for this study, which is a 12-week, virtually supervised randomized trial. The research found that training in American Dental Association flossing techniques, coupled with virtual dental hygienist supervision, improved participants’ flossing skills. It also found that an essential oil mouth rinse helped offset for remaining flossing insufficiencies, ultimately improving gingival health, and reducing interproximal plaque, according to Kenvue.

• Efficacy of Essential Oil and Zinc-Containing Mouthrinse on Plaque Microbiome

presented by lead author Kyungrok Min, PhD, principal scientist at Kenvue. This study used quantitative microbiome analysis to determine that mouth rinses containing a fixed combination of 4 essential oils (EO) and zinc were effective in reducing plaque and gingivitis and creating a healthier plaque microbiota.

• Mouthrinse Effect on Oral Malodor Using Gas Chromatography/Organoleptic Judges (Milleman J, et al). Milleman is also the presenter for this study, a single-center randomized, placebo-controlled trial that confirmed the ability of an experimental mouth rinse to neutralize oral malodor by reducing volatile sulfur compounds, the primary source of bad breath. For this test, the mouth rinse contained essential oil, zinc, and an odor-neutralizing technology.

A trio of Listerine formulations made their debut at SmileCon 2023 as Kenvue Inc., a global leader in consumer health, presented the expansion of its renowned Listerine brand known as Listerine® Clinical Solutions at the American Dental Association’s annual event in October 2023.