Listerine — Frequently Asked Questions
Which Listerine mouthwash should I choose?
Does mouthwash replace brushing?
No, and it is the most important thing on this page. Mouthwash is an addition to brushing and to cleaning between your teeth, never a substitute for either. Listerine's own positioning is that it reaches areas a toothbrush misses, which only makes sense if you are brushing properly in the first place. Brush twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste, clean between your teeth once a day, and use mouthwash on top of that.
Should I use Listerine before or after brushing?
Use it at a different time from brushing rather than immediately afterwards. Rinsing straight after you brush washes away the concentrated fluoride your toothpaste has just left on the teeth. A practical routine is to brush morning and night and use mouthwash at another point in the day, such as after lunch. Give it a little time before eating or drinking so the fluoride in the rinse has a chance to work.
How much should I use, and for how long?
Always follow the directions on the pack. In general you measure a capful, rinse it around the whole mouth undiluted, then spit it out - do not swallow it, and do not rinse with water afterwards, because that simply dilutes what you have just applied. If a full-strength rinse stings, that is a good reason to look at the alcohol-free options below rather than watering it down.
Which Listerine mouthwashes are alcohol-free?
Three of the products in this collection are described as alcohol-free or zero alcohol:
The classic Cool Mint and Total Care formulas are not alcohol-free. If you are avoiding alcohol for any reason, or you simply find the standard rinses too sharp, ask us and we will show you what is in stock.
Can children use Listerine?
Not the adult formulas. Smart Rinse Mild Berry is the one made for children and is intended for ages six and over. It is alcohol-free and sugar-free, contains sodium fluoride to help strengthen enamel, and its tinting formula colours food particles so a child can see in the sink what their brushing missed - which is a genuinely useful teaching tool. Children should be supervised, taught to spit rather than swallow, and under-sixes should not use mouthwash unless a dentist has specifically advised it.
What is the difference between Total Care and Cool Mint?
Cool Mint is the classic: it targets germs, plaque and bad breath and leaves the mouth feeling fresh. Total Care is the more comprehensive formula, combining essential oils with fluoride across ten stated benefits including strengthening enamel, helping prevent tartar, gum protection, cavity protection and long-lasting freshness. If you want one bottle to cover everything, Total Care is the one.
My gums bleed when I brush. Which Listerine should I use?
Bleeding gums are common but they are not normal, and they are often the first sign of gingivitis. Advanced Defence Gum Treatment is made for exactly this. It is classed as a medical device rather than a cosmetic mouthwash and forms an invisible protective shield over the teeth and gums that stops plaque germs attaching, with the brand describing healthier gums in as little as two weeks. Advanced Gum Expert Alcohol Free is the gentler everyday option. If the bleeding carries on beyond two weeks, or your gums are receding or sore, see your dentist - a mouthwash is not the whole answer.
Will Listerine whiten my teeth?
Advanced White is the whitening rinse in the range. It uses non-abrasive whitening technology that does not harm tooth enamel, removes tough stains and helps prevent new ones forming, and contains fluoride to help strengthen teeth. It works on surface staining from tea, coffee and red wine. It will not change the natural underlying shade of your teeth and it is not a substitute for professional whitening.
What sizes does Listerine come in here?
Inish Pharmacy Expert Tip
"Do not rinse with mouthwash straight after brushing - you are washing off the fluoride you have just put on your teeth. Pick a different time of day, use a full capful, and never water it down. And if the only reason you are reaching for mouthwash is persistent bad breath, come and have a quiet word with us: nine times out of ten it is a gum, tongue or dry mouth issue, and a rinse on its own will not fix it."
