Oral rinse and dentifrice compositions, comprising a phenolic selected from the group consisting of menthol, eucalyptol, methyl salicylate, thymol, triclosan, and mixtures thereof; and a cyclodextrin selected from the group consisting of hydroxypropyl -cyclodextrin, hydroxyethyl -cyclodextrin, hydroxypropyl -cyclodextrin, hydroxyethyl -cyclodextrin, -cyclodextrin, methyl -cyclodextrin, and mixtures thereof. These compositions are useful in retarding the development of plaque, treating gingivitis, and in treating the presence of micro-organisms in the oral cavity.