The Best Mouthwash
We looked at the top 8 Mouthwashes and dug through the reviews from 11 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best Mouthwashes.
Our Review Process
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Our Picks For The Top Mouthwashes
- 1. Tom’s Of Maine Whole Care Sulfate-Free Fluoride Mouthwash, 6-Pack
- 2. hello Natural Mint Alcohol-Free Mouthwash, 3-Pack
- 3. Listerine Freshburst Plaque Reducing Mouthwash, 2-Pack
- 4. Colgate Total No-Burn Antiseptic Mouthwash, 3-Pack
- 5. TheraBreath Remineralizing Fluoride Mouthwash, 2-Pack
- 6. ACT Restoring Anticavity Remineralizing Mouthwash
- 7. Solimo Anti-Gingivitis & Anti-Plaque Mouthwash
- 8. Crest Pro-Health Alcohol-Free Plaque Reducing Mouthwash, 4-Pack
If you're looking for a fluoride mouthwash that is gentle and colorless, this natural option doesn't contain preservatives or artificial colors, flavors or sweeteners. You can choose from strawberry or mint options in this six-pack set.
Mild and EffectiveThis pack of six bottles of natural fluoride mouthwash serves as a gentle option if you're sensitive to preservatives or dyes.
You won't find any harsh ingredients in this natural mouthwash. Instead, the 3-pack is formulated with xylitol, aloe vera and coconut oil. It also has a fresh minty taste, which also combats bad breath while fighting against gingivitis.
No More Bad BreathThis mouthwash is alcohol, dye and fluoride-free.
Once a splash of this mouthwash hits your tongue, you'll feel fresher. The effervescent feeling is a hallmark of the brand, and there are plenty of active ingredients behind it working to kill germs. The menthol taste freshens up the breath immediately.
Tingling, Minty TasteGet fresher breath right away with this iconic antiseptic.
Does the alcohol in many mouthwash brands burn your tongue or gums? Go with this alcohol-free formula. The peppermint taste and bacteria-fighting ingredients are still there, but with none of that discomfort.
No DiscomfortSensitive gums can smile again with this milder 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.
Why we recommend these mouthwashes?
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Our experts reviewed the top 8 Mouthwashes and also dug through the reviews from 11 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best of the best Mouthwashes.
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The Best Bang For Your Buck
Colgate Total No-Burn Antiseptic Mouthwash, 3-Pack
Key Takeawy
Does the alcohol in many mouthwash brands burn your tongue or gums? Go with this alcohol-free formula. The peppermint taste and bacteria-fighting ingredients are still there, but with none of that discomfort.
What other experts liked
What other experts didn't like
What to Look For
- 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.
More to Explore
“I’m frustrated with the lack of selection in mouthwash flavors,” said no one ever. Mint seems like a pretty logical choice for a product that’s largely meant to keep your breath clean. Still, adventurous dental care enthusiasts almost had a breakthrough when Scope announced the launch of a new bacon-flavored mouthwash … on April 1, 2013. It did indeed turn out to be an April Fool’s prank by the company, but bacon lovers can continue to dream.