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Yes, Listerine Antiseptic mouthwash does kill oral thrush (Candida). There is a lot of research to back this truth up; and, we will discuss studies that provide the proof. So, if you have oral thrush, using Listerine is probably a great idea; and it could help you to get rid of your infection faster. Additionally, Listerine even combats Candida biofilm (we will discuss that topic more later on).
As you may know, the yeast Candida causes oral thrush. This infection is often referred to as oral candidiasis. If you are unsure about what type of oral infection you have, Candida Hub has two free online tools that may help. One is a collection of pictures of oral thrush. The other is a home yeast infection test.
The pictures of oral thrush can help you see how this infection presents itself; thereby giving you a better chance of correctly diagnosing your oral situation. The home yeast infection test is an exam to determine your likelihood of having Candida related health problems. This test was adapted from a test developed by the yeast infection pioneer Dr. William Crook (Yeast Connection book series author). The links to these pages on Candida Hub are directly below:
Candida is a common commensal organism; i.e., one that derives a benefit from a host without causing harm to that host. It is also an opportunistic pathogen; i.e., one that causes an infection when an opportunity presents itself (Romo et al.; 2020). Opportunities for Candida to strike include taking antibiotics or having a compromised immune system. Such opportunities may be why you have developed oral thrush.
Finally, at the close of this article, we will discuss a natural, 12 hour cure for oral thrush.
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Visit Official Site!Research Regarding Listerine’s Ability to Kill Candida
To address the question "Does Listerine Kill oral thrush?" one study is of particular importance. This study verifies that Listerine does kill Candida; it was published in Phytotherapy Research [29.10 (2015): 1590-1594].
The study relates that Listerine, at the time of its writing, is one of the most popular mouthwashes worldwide; and, this mouthwash claims to combat hazardous bacteria.
The recipe for Listerine has changed from an essential oil mouthwash to a mixture of 5 compounds. These compounds are: thymol (found in thyme essential oil), menthol, eucalyptol, and methyl salicylate; and, these 4 compounds are dissolved in 27% ethanol (drinking alcohol).
The goal of the study was to ascertain information about the antimicrobial activity of the individual compounds in Listerine. These compounds, and the mouthwash itself, were tested against C. albicans.
All the tested components and mouthwash were diluted in concentrations ranging from 100% to 0%. The study found that the minimum inhibitory concentration (abbreviated MIC; i.e., the smallest amount of a substance that will stop the growth of an organism) for Listerine against C. albicans was 6.25%.
Concerning the ability to kill Candida, the study found that Listerine was also able to kill this yeast. The minimum fungicidal concentration (abbreviated MFC; the smallest amount required to kill a fungus) for Listerine against C. albicans was 12.5%.
Thus we can see that a 12.5% dilution of Listerine will be strong enough to kill C. albicans. And, C. albicans is the most pathogenic species in the Candida genus. Additionally, the MFC obtained for C. albicans is likely very applicable to other species of Candida as well.
An important study to answer the question of Listerine’s ability to kill Candida was published in the journal Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology, Oral Radiology, and Endodontology [91.6 (2001): 663-670].
The study tested Listerine Antiseptic, Tartar Control Listerine, and Peridex on several different species of Candida. The number of different Candida species tested was quite exhaustive. Included in these species were C. albicans, C. glabrata, and C. krusei.
The study found the MFC for all of these mouthwashes against several Candida species. The results of these tests for a few species of Candida with Listerine and Tatar Control Listerine are as follows:
Listerine Antiseptic MFC’s:
- Against C. albicans: 645µg / mL
- Against C. glabrata: 725.6µg / mL
- Against C. krusei: 645µg / mL
Tartar Control Listerine MFC’s:
- Against C. albicans: 645µg / mL
- Against C. glabrata: 645µg / mL
- Against C. krusei: 645µg / mL
Listerine, Candida, & Diabetic Denture Wearers
The next study we will examine was published in the Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research: JCDR [10.6 (2016): ZC90]. The goal of this study was to analyze the antifungal ability of Listerine and compare it to a crude ethanolic extract of Henna (Lawsonia Inermis).
The study’s introduction states that oral candidiasis is the most prevalent opportunistic infection affecting the oral mucous membranes. According to the study, C. albicans and C. tropicalis are the most prevalent species that cause a variety of infections in the mouth.
The study selected 100 individuals who were diabetics and wore dentures (removable or fixed dentures). Out of these 100 people, 60 ended up being included in the study. Some exclusion criteria for the study included: being pregnant, lactating, known systemic diseases, and allergy to the mouthwash.
Those individuals selected for the study were divided into two groups. Group 1 consisted of 30 subjects who were given crude henna mouthwash. Group 2 consisted of 30 subjects who were given Listerine mouthwash.
An oral rinsing technique was utilized in all these subjects before they used the mouthwash; and this showed the colony forming units (CFU) of Candida species at the start of the study.
Samples from subjects were collected 1 hour after using the mouthwashes. The study subjects were then instructed to use their mouthwash twice a day for one week. After this week of treatment, Candida CFU were again evaluated. The subject’s satisfaction with taste and smell was also recorded.
The study found that both Listerine and the henna extract mouthwashes reduced Candida CFU in the subjects mouth. Yet, the study found that henna was more effective in reducing CFU compared to Listerine. This verifies that henna has excellent antifungal activity.
The study found the CFU of Candida of the two groups at baseline, 1 hour after treatment, and after 1 week of using the mouthwashes. Group 2 used Listerine; and an initial average CFU of 151 was seen at the start of the study. After 1 week of using Listerine, the average CFU of Candida species dropped to 30. Yet, henna in group 1, reduced the average CFU of Candida species to just 6.
Listerine & Candida Biofilm
Candida biofilm is something yeast infection / oral thrush sufferers should understand. When Candida forms biofilm, it becomes drastically more resistant, especially to some artificial antifungal drugs. A study published in the Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy [67.3 (2012): 618-621] discusses Candida biofilm.
According to this study, the majority of Candida infections are associated in some way to the formation of biofilms on the surface of biological or inert surfaces. Cells covered in biofilm are referred to as sessile cells; these cells have unique traits from cells that are not protected by biofilm. Perhaps the most important trait of these sessile cells is that they are notoriously resistant to artificial antimicrobial drugs; and, can better endure host immune system attacks.
The study states that the following drugs are rendered less effective against Candida when biofilm is present: fluconazole (brand name Diflucan), ketoconazole, itraconazole, and amphotericin B. This fact has been reported extensively.
This particular study found that sessils Candida cells were 512 times more resistant to amphotericin B compared to those without biofilm. Sessil Candida cells were also 1024 times more resistant to fluconazole compared to non-biofilm cells. Thus, clearing away biofilm may be quintessential in getting rid of Candida infections.
A study, published in Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology, Oral Radiology, and Endodontology [111.4 (2011): 456-460], conducted an in-vitro test on mouthwashes and Candida biofilm.
The study states that oral thrush is typified by a complex mixture of yeasts and hyphae (germ tubes) that is surrounded by a biofilm. This biofilm encases the cells within it; thereby creating an impenetrable barrier to host defenses and antimicrobial therapy. These biofilms are often formed by C. albicans that has attached to the surface of the mouth’s mucus membranes, teeth, or prosthetic devices.
The study goes on to say that antifungal resistance is an important characteristic of Candida biofilms. Additionally, other Candida species—such as C. krusei and C. glabrata—are often resistant to azole antifungal drugs. These other Candida species are frequently found within the mouth of humans. Yet, azole antifungal drugs are often prescribed for the treatment of oral Candida infections. And, recurrence of infection can happen.
This study sought to analyze the antifungal susceptibility of sessil Candida cells and those cells that were not covered with biofilm (planktonic cells) to various prescription antifungal drugs and over-the-counter mouthwashes.
Concerning the over-the-counter mouthwashes tested, the study analyzed Listerine, Oraldene, Colgate Peroxyl, and Corsodyl.
The study found the MIC for Listerine on planktonic (cells not covered in biofilm) C. albicans. The abbreviations used were MIC50 and MIC90. It appears that this abbreviation may have not been properly defined. It is hereby assumed that MIC50 means the MIC for 50% of the Candida strains tested; and, MIC90 denotes the MIC for 90% of the strains tested.
The study reported that the MIC50 for Listerine against planktonic C. albicans strains was 25%, and the MIC90 was also 25%.
Concerning biofilm development, the study reports that Listerine, Corsodyl, and Oraldene were the most effective mouthwashes against Candida biofilm development. These mouthwashes lowered biofilm production by about 75% to 80%. Colgate Peroxyl only showed a 40% reduction of Candida biofilm production.
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Visit Official Site!A 12 Hour, Natural Oral Thrush Cure
Candida infections can be reoccuring. This is especially true for women with recurrent vaginal yeast infections. And, when Candida has thoroughly invaded a person’s body, it can cause a host of health problems. If enough Candida is present in the digestive system, it can even lead to enough alcohol being fermented to make a person drunk (although this is rare).
One woman, who struggled with Candida related health problems (including reoccuring yeast infections), was Linda Allen. In total, Linda spent about 12 years suffering from Candida. And, for a long time, she didn’t even know her health problems were due to this yeast.
Linda visited a doctor about her strange health problems, and was prescribed antibiotics at first. When these drugs failed, she was put on stronger antibiotics. These treatments seemed to help for just a few weeks; yet, in time her symptoms would return.
Linda’s doctor did not know Candida was behind her unusual health problems. Linda was even prescribed allergy medication in an attempt to resolve her symptoms. The efforts from the doctor seemed to slowly improve her situation, but nothing seemed to totally wipe out her symptoms.
In addition to yeast infections, Linda also dealt with many types of repeat infections. She always seemed to have a headache, bronchitis, a cold, or some other ailment. Those who knew her well began to wonder if she was a hypochondriac; or, possibly sicker than she was admitting.
Linda eventually did have a breakthrough. It occured when she visited a naturopathic practitioner. The naturopath informed Linda that her health problems were the result of a systemic Candida infection.
After being correctly diagnosed, Linda went on to investigate Candida and natural medicine extensively. She invested a lot of time learning, and even sought the advice of health professionals kind enough to give her some of their time.
Eventually, Linda developed a treatment protocol that she hoped would be the solution to her problem with Candida. After spending about a year refining this new system, she tried it on herself.
Linda saw exceptional results after using her new system. And, Linda found that her yeast infections stopped and her health returned.
To be sure she was cured, Linda returned to a few doctors and requested them to run tests on her. The results of these tests showed that all indicators of infection had disappeared. Linda was finally in good health again!
After reaching the end of her struggles with Candida, and curing herself, Linda decided to write a book about her natural treatment system. In this book, Linda provides a natural Candida infection treatment that will get rid of a superficial infection (such as a case of oral thrush) in just 12 hours time.
In addition to a 12 hour cure for superficial yeast infections, Linda also explains in her book how to heal systemic Candida problems. This may be very important to individuals who have had recurrent Candida infections.
Linda’s book is available as a digital ebook and can be downloaded immediately. Linda’s publisher, a subsidiary of the United States based firm Keynetics Incorporated, also provides a 60 day, 100% money back guarantee on Linda’s book.
With a 60 day, 100% money back guarantee; this should provide more than enough time to test out Linda’s 12 hour Candida infection cure.
If you would like to find out more about Linda’s personal story, see reviews of others who gave her book a try, or find out more about Linda’s book; you can learn more at Linda Allen’s website.
Author: Mr. Nicholas Gross
Nick Gross is a natural medicine enthusiast who has been researching and writing about natural medicine since 2008. Nick is primarily a web developer but also researches and authors written and video content about natural health. Nick has a bachelor’s degree in Management Information Systems from the University of Northern Iowa.
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Visit Official Site!SOURCES:
- https://doi.org/10.3390/jof6010016 — Romo, Jesus A., and Carol A. Kumamoto. "On commensalism of Candida." Journal of Fungi [6.1 (2020): 16].
- https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.5399 — Vlachojannis, C., et al. "A preliminary investigation on the antimicrobial activity of Listerine®, its components, and of mixtures thereof." Phytotherapy Research [29.10 (2015): 1590-1594].
- https://doi.org/10.1067/moe.2001.113550 — Meiller, Timothy F., et al. "In vitro studies of the efficacy of antimicrobials against fungi." Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology, Oral Radiology, and Endodontology [91.6 (2001): 663-670].
- https://doi.org/10.7860/jcdr/2016/19463.8036 — Sujanamulk, Bhavana, et al. "Evaluation of Antifungal Efficacy of Ethanolic Crude Lawsone and Listerine Mouthwash in Uncontrolled Diabetics and Denture Wearers-A Randomized Clinical Trial." Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research: JCDR [10.6 (2016): ZC90].
- https://doi.org/10.1093/jac/dkr512 — Khan, Mohd Sajjad Ahmad, and Iqbal Ahmad. "Antibiofilm activity of certain phytocompounds and their synergy with fluconazole against Candida albicans biofilms." Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy [67.3 (2012): 618-621].
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tripleo.2010.10.043 — Ramage, Gordon, et al. "Commercial mouthwashes are more effective than azole antifungals against Candida albicans biofilms in vitro." Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology, Oral Radiology, and Endodontology [111.4 (2011): 456-460].
