The Little-Known History of Listerine
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We may earn commission from links on this page. Each product featured has been vetted and chosen by our editors. Long before Listerine sat on bathroom counters promising fresh breath, its story started in the operating room. In 1865, English surgeon Dr. Joseph Lister began using carbolic acid spray as a surgical antiseptic, pioneering methods that helped far more patients survive surgery than ever before. That breakthrough didn’t just change medicine; it inspired a name.