a stable mouth wash or dentifrice composition containing stabilized chlorine dioxide and phosphates is disclosed for reducing the motility of and killing microbial pathogens . the preferred concentration ranges are between about 0 . 005 %- 0 . 5 % chlorine dioxide , and between about 0 . 02 %- 3 . 0 % phosphate . the phosphate retards escape of chlorine dioxide in the ph range typically found in a mouth .