Whether you’re chatting with a friend, making out with your partner or even heading out on a first date, no one wants bad breath. If you’ve ever been on the receiving end of it, you’ll know it’s a quick way to kill a conversation, especially if there’s a romantic interest involved. Luckily, brushing your teeth and rinsing with mouthwash provide easy ways to keep bad breath at bay. They’re quick, simple and effective.
If this situation sounds familiar to you, it’s worth trying one of these 15 mouthwash options. They’re a smart way to achieve fresh breath. You’ll also find flavorless options for those who prefer their mouthwash without that overpowering menthol taste.
When picking out a mouthwash, there are a few ingredients to watch out for. Pick a bottle with these on the ingredient list to ensure the mouthwash is effective:
- Fluoride: Ideal for fighting tooth decay and strengthening enamel
- Chlorhexidine: For controlling gingivitis and reducing plaque
- Cetylpyridinium Chloride: For killing bacteria that causes bad breath
- Essential Oils: For their antibacterial and antifungal properties
- Carbamide Peroxide or Hydrogen Peroxide: For whitening teeth
- Xylitol: For alleviating dry mouth
Make sure you don’t kill any dates in the first second or leave colleagues at work with a bad impression by being that person with unbearably bad breath. There’s really no excuse, especially when your oral hygiene can be dealt with in an instant thanks to the best mouthwash.
1. Listerine Total Care
BEST OVERALL
If there’s one mouthwash that does it all, it’s Listerine Total Care. The makers of this purple liquid claim it “helps to prevent cavities, cleans the whole mouth, strengthens enamel, freshens breath, strengthens teeth and kills bad breath germs.” With a 60-second rinse twice a day combined with regular brushing, your teeth and mouth will be healthier in no time. This one-liter bottle is a seven-week supply for a single person, and this mouthwash is accepted by the American Dental Association’s Seal of Acceptance Program.
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2. Solimo Tartar Control Plus Antiseptic Mouth Rinse
BEST BUDGET
Like everything else these days, Amazon makes its own mouthwash, but this is one of their better-reviewed products. The Solimo brand mouth rinse has over 800 five-star reviews who found their mouth was fresher after each use. In addition to offering a cooling, minty flavor, this blue liquid boasts a healthy dose of eucalyptol and thymol, which work to control plaque that may eventually lead to gingivitis. However, if you have other mouth-based concerns, Solimo also produces alcohol-free rinse, dry mouth relief mouthwash and anti-cavity mouthwash.
3. Oxyfresh Unflavored Mouthwash
BEST UNFLAVORED
If you prefer the idea of a mouthwash, which is free of flavor, then the Oxyfresh Unflavored Mouthwash may be the right choice for you. It boasts patented ingredients specially made to act quickly to eliminate odors and provide you with day-long fresh breath. The formula is also free from alcohol and won’t give you that painful burning sensation that comes with many competing types of mouthwash.
4. CloSYS Ultra Sensitive Mouthwash
BEST DIY FLAVOR
You’ll be in complete control of flavor with this CloSYS Ultra Sensitive Mouthwash. By letting you decide how much mint oil to use, you’re able to make a mouthwash with as strong a flavor as you enjoy. The mouthwash itself sports an alcohol-free formula, which works to kill harmful bacteria and helps prevent gum disease. The long-lasting effects will also be noticeable after every use as you enjoy cleaner and fresher breath.
5. Biotene Fresh Mint Moisturizing Mouthwash
BEST FOR DRY MOUTH
Anyone who has ever suffered from a dry mouth knows how uncomfortable it can be. Luckily, mouthwash, like this Biotene Fresh Mint Moisturizing Mouthwash, can help alleviate the symptoms. The alcohol-free formula includes xylitol, which is known to help saliva production. In addition, this mouthwash can help with general oral health. This, in turn, may correct whatever is causing the dry mouth symptoms in the first place. In addition, the fresh mint flavor works instantly, leaving you with fresh breath for up to four hours.
6. Colgate Total Pro-Shield Alcohol-Free Mouthwash
LONGEST LASTING
Colgate is one of the biggest names in toothpaste, so it should come as little surprise that they make one of the best mouthwashes as well. The total mouth-care formula provides 12 hours of protection, even after eating or drinking. With a cooling, peppermint flavor, the blue liquid kills 99% of germs, including those that cause bad breath, on contact. It also reduces plaque and prevents gingivitis. Plus, with three bottles in this pack, Colgate’s mouthwash offers exceptional value for money.
7. Sensodyne Pronamel Mouthwash
BEST NON-IRRITATING
This Sensodyne Pronamel Mouthwash is more than just a mouthwash. The highly effective formula leaves your breath smelling clean and minty fresh. It also works to protect your teeth from tooth decay and re-hardens enamel that has become soft from acid attack. The formula is alcohol-free and works especially well when used in conjunction with Pronamel toothpaste.
8. Scope Mouthwash
BEST ALCOHOL-BASED
Although many types of mouthwash are now formulated without alcohol, some traditional formulas still include it. That’s because a mouthwash with alcohol (specifically, ethanol) will kill more germs than one without. The tradeoffs are that it may burn slightly during use, and an alcohol-based rinse can also kill good bacteria as well as bad. If you want to try an alcohol-based mouthwash, pick up a bottle of Scope. This green rinse will leave you with minty fresh breath after each use.
9. Hello Oral Care Activated Charcoal Mouthwash
MOST UNIQUE
It might seem counterintuitive to wash your mouth with a black liquid, but the Hello Oral Care Activated Charcoal Mouthwash boasts four main ingredients that will make your mouth feel amazing. First, the activated charcoal, which is made from sustainable bamboo, is a natural detoxifier. (That’s also why charcoal toothpaste is having a moment.) Second, the included coconut oil and xylitol moisturize and encourage saliva production, respectively. Finally, Hello has added a healthy dose of tea tree oil for good measure. Altogether, this amazing mouthwash will leave your mouth healthy and fresh throughout the day.
10. Crest 3D White Luxe Mouthwash
BEST WHITENING
For anyone who wishes their teeth were a little whiter, let us introduce the Crest 3D White Luxe Mouthwash. This liquid boasts a triple-action formula that whitens teeth by removing surface stains, prevents future stains and freshens breath. On top of all that, this mouthwash is also safe for your enamel and has a minty flavor. For the best results, combine the Crest 3D Mouthwash with the Crest 3D White Luxe Glamorous White Toothpaste and Oral-B 3D White Pro-Flex Toothbrush.
11. Oral Essentials Clean & Fresh Mouthwash
BEST FOR GUM HEALTH
With its impressive list of effective ingredients and positive Amazon reviews, it’s little wonder the Oral Essentials Clean & Fresh Mouthwash is such a popular mouthwash choice. The self-proclaimed “mouth moisturizer” works to support healthy gums and teeth and leaves your tissues looking clean, moist and healthy. The formula includes ingredients like dead sea salt, aloe vera juice and essential oils to help maintain the balance of your in-mouth environment. The mouthwash is also free from alcohol, sugar and GMO ingredients.
12. SmartMouth Original Activated Mouthwash
BEST ALCOHOL-FREE
The first thing you’ll notice about the SmartMouth Original Activated Mouthwash is that it has two different liquids inside. That’s because it relies on zinc ion technology to stop germs that produce sulfur and therefore cause bad breath. The zinc ion technology must be activated by mixing the two different liquids together. If they were premixed in the bottle, the mouthwash wouldn’t be as effective. The result is a mouthwash that stops halitosis for up to 12 hours after each and every rinse.
13. Uncle Harry’s Natural Alkalizing Miracle Mouthwash
BEST FOR HEALTHY TOOTH ENAMEL
Uncle Harry’s Natural Alkalizing Miracle Mouthwash promises to restore or maintain your mouth’s natural alkaline pH. This has several benefits. First and foremost, it neutralizes the microbes that may be causing your bad breath or dry mouth. Secondly, it reduces swelling with regular use and allows your body to naturally flush out irritants in the mouth. And, finally, it creates healthy tooth enamel by encouraging remineralization by supplying calcium, magnesium and phosphorus to your teeth. Altogether, these elements combined with a minty fresh flavor result in a happy and healthy mouth.
14. TheraBreath Fresh Breath Oral Rinse
MOST POPULAR
The TheraBreath Fresh Breath Oral Rinse is dentist-formulated and has over 2,700 five-star reviews from customers happy with the outcome of the rinse. It provides up to 24 hours of breath freshness while neutralizing any bad breath causing bacteria found in your mouth. Plus, this USA-made mouthwash is also free from gluten as well as artificial colors and flavorings. This is a great bottle to keep on hand in your bathroom.
15. ACT Restoring Mouthwash
BEST FOR PREVENTING TOOTH DECAY
The ACT Restoring Mouthwash may be the most expensive item on our list, but the company makes some big claims. According to ACT, their mouthwash can “reduce cavities up to 70% more than brushing with a fluoride toothpaste alone.” It does so through remineralizing soft spots in the teeth and strengthening your tooth enamel. As an added bonus, this mouthwash also freshens breath thanks to its cool mint flavor. With regular use of this mouthwash, you can expect to see an improvement in general mouth health.
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