Comparison: Peridex ® DioxiRinse ® Listerine ®
Peridex
chlorhexidine 		DioxiRinse
active chlorine dioxide, ClO2 		Listerine
essential oils
Not safe to swallow, may cause stomach upset or nausea, eye injury 4, 7, 14 Safe for incidental ingestion. ClO2 used in water purification. Many studies illustrate safety 42, 55, 56 Alcohol content may cause toxicity, critical for children 84, 85, 86
Highly unpleasant taste causes patient non-compliance 1, 4, 11, 12 Fresh, effervescent mint taste 57 Unpleasant taste. May cause non-compliance 70, 82, 83
Will not kill spores, small effect on fungi. Ineffective on Pseudomonas 27 Proteus, Serratia, Mycobacteria 8, 9, 10 Kills all bacteria, spores, viruses and yeast, in one minute, in vitro Includes MRSA, C. difficile 38, 39, 40, 44, 64 Little evidence of an anti- bacterial effect in vivo or in vitro 65, 66, 68, 69, 75, 77, 79
Stains teeth, dentures, and dorsal area of tongue 1, 7, 11, 13 Will not stain teeth, dentures. Whitens teeth, removes biofilm 34, 36, 41 Does not stain or whiten teeth, not an oxidant
Prolonged use can cause calculus formation. Conflicting reports as to plaque reduction 1, 3, 12, 13, 17 No restrictions for use. Further. reduces plaque, when combined with SRP 29, 47, 52 Prolonged use may produce mucosal lesions. Little or no odor or plaque reduction 73, 74, 75, 76, 80, 87
Can damage mucous membranes and inhibit healing. Allergic reaction may cause mouth sores, white patches 10, 11, 14 Heals sores and irritations caused by dental procedures and braces 31, 43, 51, 53, 59 May cause gum or gingival pain 65, 70, 84, 86
Eating, brushing or drinking diminishes efficacy 7, 16, 21, 22 Odor removal and disinfection is immediate. Used daily any time 33, 37 Repeated use may cause oral burning sensation 70, .83
Prevents wound healing, although often applied on wounds 10, 15, 23 Cures oral yeast infection, 32, 48, 49 Pseudomonas wounds, abrasions Some reports on impairing wound healing 71, 86
Can decrease taste sensation, and alter taste 4, 12, 13 No effect on taste. Used routinely as a mouthwash 57 Highly unpleasant mouthwash taste 65, 83
Good for mouth odor control, cannot be used routinely. Kills bacteria but does not oxidize VSCs 11, 12 Fastest neutralizer of odor and odor causing bacteria, oxidizes VSC and VSC proteins 33, 38, 42, 47 Masks, not neutralizes odor 73, 84, 88
Reports of anaphylaxis, renal, liver damage. Overdose has caused slurred speech in children 19, 20, 23, 26, 28 No adverse effects reported 32, 54, 56, 59 Few adverse effects, but no studies proving efficacy presented 65, 83
Alcohol content 11.7% 12 Alcohol content 1/2% Alcohol content 27% "54 proof" Useful for dissolving oils 81, 89
Recommended for gingivitis, but only with SRP (FDA). May mask and worsen periodontitis 2, 5, 6, 13, 15 Clinical evidence for alleviating gingivitis and periodontitis 46, 47, 50, 57. No improvement in plaque or gingivitis-despite marketing claims 67, 68, 76, 80, 85, 87
Incompatible with soaps, carbonate, chloride. Neutralized by hard water 21, 22 Incompatible with strong reducing agents. Will neutralize ClO2 No reported incompatibilities
Not indicated for mucositis, stomatitis due to membrane irritation 14, 15, 24, 25 Successfully treats mucositis, stomatitis, glossitis 32, 62 Does not alleviate mucositis stomatitis, alcohol drying effect 84, 86
References Available

(R)Peridex - Reg. trademark of 3m Co, (R)DioxiRinse - Reg. trademark of Frontier Pharmaceutical, Inc., (R)Listerine - Reg. trademark of Johnson & Johnson Co.