Listerine is a brand of antiseptic mouthwash. Its original formula has a notoriously strong flavour, although variations have been released that are marketed as tasting milder. The product is marketed under the slogan “Kills germs that cause bad breath”. It was named after Joseph Lister who promoted the idea of sterile surgery by sterilizing instruments.
Listerine is one of the most popular mouthwashes sold in the United States. Originally marketed by the Lambert Pharmacal Company (which later became Warner-Lambert), it is currently manufactured and distributed by Johnson and Johnson since that company’s acquisition of Pfizer’s consumer healthcare division in late December 2006.
The Listerine brand name is also used on toothpaste, Listerine Whitening rinse, new Listerine Fluoride rinse (Listerine Tooth Defense), Listerine Agent Cool Blue (children’s teeth tinting rinse), PocketPaks, and PocketMist. In September 2007, Listerine began selling their own brand of self-dissolving teeth whitening strips.
