Ever wondered where LISTERINE® mouthwash got its name? Dr. Joseph Lawrence, the creator of LISTERINE® mouthwash, wanted to name his work after a scientist who paved the way. Lister, an English doctor and surgeon, became the first surgeon to perform an operation in a chamber sterilized with pulverized antiseptic. The result? More patients survived than ever before. Inspired, Lawrence created a unique formulation of his own.

When you think of mouthwash, the first brand that comes to your mind is probably LISTERINE® Brand. It’s familiar and classic, but have you ever wondered why it stands above any other mouthwash? The story of LISTERINE® Brand dates back over 130 years to the early days of modern medicine.

It begins back in 1879, when LISTERINE® Antiseptic was first formulated by Dr. Joseph Lawrence and Jordan Wheat Lambert. It was named after Dr. Joseph Lister, who was the first person to perform an antiseptic surgery. His work paved the way for the modern operating room and lead to significant decline in patient mortality in the 19th century. In the early days, claims about the use of LISTERINE® Brand ranged widely, from curing sore throats and colds to healing wounds, but its germ-killing power has never faded.

Since 1895, it has changed oral health care. It has become the #1 leader in mouthwash. LISTERINE® Antiseptic can kill up to 99.9% of the germs in your mouth. It goes hand in hand with brushing and flossing — your brushing routine just wouldn’t be the same without it! It wasn't until 1994 that we said goodbye to the iconic glass bottle, a design that lasted for over 100 years. In 2008, the hero of all LISTERINE® mouthwashes, LISTERINE TOTAL CARE® — our most complete and advanced mouthwash — was launched in Canada. LISTERINE® Brand has always been the first mouthwash brand to formulate innovative products such as SMART RINSE® for Kids, LISTERINE HEALTHY WHITE®, LISTERINE TOTAL CARE FOR SENSITIVE TEETH® and LISTERINE ZERO® which is alcohol-free. There are now a wide variety of product lines and flavours to meet all your oral care needs. All LISTERINE® products are 100% Triclosan free.

A lot has happened since Dr. Lister's first antiseptic surgery. LISTERINE® Antiseptic Mouthwash has been used by more than 1 billion people worldwide, and over 50 clinical studies have been conducted affirming its efficacy. But you don’t have to know that to know it works, you can feel it! LISTERINE® Brand takes care of all your oral care needs, and it’s the only mouthwash that carries the Canadian Dental Association (CDA) seal on all of its therapeutic mouthwash products.

LISTERINE®'S ESSENTIAL INGREDIENTS

Have you ever wondered what’s in it that kills germs and gives you that refreshing feeling? The secret behind the science is the three essential oils which form the active ingredients in LISTERINE® Antiseptic:

These three essential oils combined give LISTERINE® the power to kill the germs that cause plaque, gingivitis and bad breath. That’s why it keeps your mouth healthy and clean when used side by side with its sidekicks — your toothbrush and floss.

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