Our History:
A Story of Pioneering Mouthwash Research
LISTERINE® is the #1 dentist-recommended mouthwash brand. We are pioneers in the science of mouthwash research and have a long history, but do you know where our name comes from?
![sterin is n Re avc ins ine 14 154 BERT COMPANY SMO USA arcassonnta afe antisep ld in bulk fact: You can it imitations by obtaining Lister- inal package- ance, 3 ounce and OPS BAD BREP er it now with ▾ Kills Germ ANT On ...](https://images.ctfassets.net/ikipq83d3rdu/T3BNrwm91FVUT7nJi6z7x/16b2dfabb0282edecf511132e0aca02e/LIS_Comm3.0_HISTORY_Hero_Desktop_1086x588.webp)
THE LISTERINE® HISTORY AT A GLANCE
When Dr. Joseph Lawrence came up with his unique formula for LISTERINE® mouthwash, he made sure to pay an homage to Dr. Joseph Lister, the English surgeon that pioneered antiseptic surgical methods, leading to more patients surviving than ever before.
Since its launch, LISTERINE® has been subjected to research and clinical trials by different experts and is now recognized for effectively helping prevent plaque deposition and gingival inflammation.
The powerful swish that kills 99.9% of germs that cause bad breath, plaque, and gingivitis for a cleaner, healthier mouth has come a long way. We have Inherited Dr. Lister’s desire to “help as many people as possible,” and continue our research to protect people’s mouths.
![Listerine® mouthwash bottles over the years](https://images.ctfassets.net/ikipq83d3rdu/21B9cLx1Ec1MnRUuYAcwNE/3b982e45ef4428297ef52db9b6149785/listerine-history.gif)
![Demonstration of Listerine®'s Crystal Block Technology for tooth sensitivity](https://images.ctfassets.net/ikipq83d3rdu/5XC8lmeA4cno3HwTcHBuWN/a20eab378e873a85a8238b0a70fe8e82/our-history-2018.png)
Crystal Block Technology: Technology that physically block tooth sensitivity at its source**
Rapid Fusion Technology: technology that boosts fluoride uptake in tooth enamel
The ADA Council on Scientific Affairs accepts LISTERINE®
![ADA](https://images.ctfassets.net/ikipq83d3rdu/6K2k8B2Von1ueU2ipqlpjb/5e7a4e167dfd3e2482779d3a929a917f/our-history-1985.png)
Antiplaque and antigingivitis ADA guidelines developed
![Teeth covered in plaque](https://images.ctfassets.net/ikipq83d3rdu/1JTACufumjNo1g8u8Gp1ZW/b8c4c2e1a961ce0849434806f9224128/our-history-1960.png)
Plaque is recognized as the primary cause of caries and periodontal disease
![Vintage black and white photo of students in a classroom](https://images.ctfassets.net/ikipq83d3rdu/2oNnpKy1uFoon4761x3qMP/d9570ed7c43c646e32007429456abb6e/our-history-1956.png)
Fluoride determined to reduce the development of caries
![Nylon Dental Floss](https://images.ctfassets.net/ikipq83d3rdu/57Su1FHUf84dhz89TBsuxI/4fb3c019d5e1a6e36e1d017949f6ed9c/our-history-1940.png)
Johnson & Johnson starts producing floss from nylon
![Glass bottle of original Listerine® Antiseptic mouthwash](https://images.ctfassets.net/ikipq83d3rdu/3rTKfmjh3aucBU5IXzTrbr/31aad614527df78feb431b78b5d3d7e7/our-history-1914.png)
LISTERINE® becomes available to consumers over-the-counter
![Pocket silk dental floss](https://images.ctfassets.net/ikipq83d3rdu/3n2JtlHghxD4zFlm4AF5f1/b0c24a9599edb1110f7faecf36e39d24/our-history-1898.png)
Glass bottle of original Listerine® Antiseptic mouthwash.
![One of the first bottles of Listerine Original Antiseptic Mouthwash](https://images.ctfassets.net/ikipq83d3rdu/27DI0f5lMkaDK8mJfOAh1y/d08711f84fedad88226804ef9a68f0be/our-history-1879.png)
LISTERINE® is developed as a surgical antiseptic
![Portrait of Dr. Joseph Lister](https://images.ctfassets.net/ikipq83d3rdu/5n8rtR73JISkD6csQ4RAvK/e3fd9410e559e34ccf0aad15b76e51ec/our-history-1865.png)
Joseph Lister used carbolic acid spray as a surgical antiseptic