The Best Mouthwash

Buying Guide

If you’re diligent about your dental health, the most refreshing drink you have all day might be the one you don’t even swallow. We’re talking, of course, about mouthwash, that (usually) minty mixture that leaves your breath feeling fresh and clean. Ideally, that won’t be just a feeling. If your mouthwash is working the way it should, that arctic rush will be backed up by a deep cleaning of your teeth and gums.

Let’s get one thing straight while we’re setting expectations: No mouthwash, no matter how good it is, will be a substitute for a steady regimen of brushing and flossing. Still, most dentists agree it can be a powerful backup for that routine, helping to swish away bacteria in hard-to-reach areas of the mouth.

So how do you know which kind will do the job? Needless to say, don’t make your pick based on how blue and clean the actual mouthwash looks. The first thing you need to look at is the ingredient list, and what’s not inside the bottle can be just as important as what is.

If you’re using your mouthwash strictly to clean your teeth, fluoride is always a good ingredient to have on the list. It works in mouthwash for the same reason it works in toothpaste: Studies have shown that measured use can strengthen tooth enamel and guard against decay. That “measured use” is a must, though. Make sure you don’t use fluoride mouthwash as a breath mint, and limit yourself to a single thorough rinse before you go to bed.

If you suffer from bad breath, most any mouthwash can be a quick temporary fix. Here’s the bad news, though: Most of them won’t actually treat the root problem. The bacteria that typically cause bad breath can be masked by peppermint but the smell will come back unless you actually clean those teeth with a proper brushing. (Some may even need a tongue scraper.) That said, you can help that toothbrush do its job by using a mouthwash with cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) or natural antifungals like peppermint or eucalyptus.

If you suffer from irritated or bleeding gums, most any mouthwash can help, except those that contain alcohol. (More on that later.) For severe inflammation, though, you may want to see your dentist. Chlorhexidine is an effective ingredient for soothing those dental walls, but it’s typically only available in a prescription mouthwash.

One ingredient you may want to think twice about is a common one, or at least it was until relatively recently. For a long time, alcohol served a lot of purposes in the leading mouthwash brands. Not only did it serve as a carrier for more active ingredients like menthol, it also did its part to kill bacteria.

The problem is that alcohol can be somewhat indiscriminate in what bacteria it kills. Alcohol’s “scorched earth” approach can leave your mouth with a tingling sensation that some users equate to cleanliness. But that tingling can be a painful burning sensation in more sensitive palates, and it can actually exacerbate conditions like dry mouth. At the end of the day, alcohol mouthwash isn’t the worst thing you can put in your mouth, but you may want to use it more sparingly.

If you’re a little overwhelmed by all those chemical names, remember that even the weakest, most natural mouthwash can be of help if you’re using it correctly. And when in doubt, look for a seal of approval by the American Dental Association. The ADA does its own testing, and it’s a good bet that your own dentist will give a thumbs-up to their recommendations.

• Mouthwashes with alcohol can actually harm your mouth if used too often. For best results, rinse out your teeth and gums with the prescribed amount of mouthwash twice a day, after brushing and flossing.
• If you’re using a fluoride toothpaste, wait a few minutes after that rinse, since your mouthwash can actually wash away some of the protection.
• Swish the mouthwash around for 30 to 60 seconds for maximum protection. Anything less than that means it won’t really work and anything more than that is overkill.
• It can be tempting but don’t rinse your mouth out with water after using mouthwash. Doing this can instantly disable all the work you’re counting on it to do.
• It doesn’t really matter if you use mouthwash before or after brushing and flossing but if you rinse your mouth after brushing, that can undo the efficacy of your mouthwash. So it’s probably best to do it after brushing.