Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter provides compositions and methods for inhibiting the growth of oral microbes in a subject. Particularly, the methods include applying an oral composition comprising an oral care delivery agent and an antimicrobial agent comprising an effective amount of a low flavor antimicrobial liquid smoke derivative to the oral cavity of the subject for a time sufficient to inhibit growth of a microorganism in the oral cavity of the subject. Compositions that include low flavor antimicrobial liquid smoke derivatives that can be employed in the disclosed methods are also provided.