The discovery of use of stabilized chlorine dioxide at a concentration range of about 0.5% to about 0.9% (w/v) as a composition for the prevention of oral disease through bactericidal and bacteriostatic properties within a microbial environment is disclosed. The bactericidal properties of stabilized chlorine dioxide are further expanded to include kill of an increased number of anaerobic/aerobic/facultative gram-negative and gram-positive oral bacteria occurring in mixed microbial communities. The further discovery of the bacteriostatic properties of stabilized chlorine dioxide present within a microbial environment which inhibit the re-growth rate of oral bacteria after exposure resulting in significant reduction of plaque and oral malodor production is disclosed. The stabilized chlorine dioxide may be in the form of an oral wash or rinse in solution.
