If you’re looking for an easy way to improve your oral hygiene, it can’t get any simpler than adding mouthwash or an oral rinse to your routine. The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends using a commercial mouthwash twice a day after flossing and brushing. While it won’t ever replace your toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss, a good oral rinse will help wash away food particles you missed during cleaning. And it freshens your breath.

Some mouthwashes incorporate ingredients with therapeutic properties that go beyond freshening breath. You can find brands that deliver various benefits thanks to active ingredients like fluoride to prevent tooth decay, hydrogen peroxide for teeth whitening, or cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) to help fight plaque development and prevent gingivitis.

Are you ready? Let’s check out some of the best mouthwashes to improve your oral health, polish up your pearly whites, and invigorate your breath. If you’re not sure what mouth rinse is best for you, consult a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS), aka your dentist, for more information.  

1. Hello Activated Charcoal Extra Freshening Mouthwash 16z

Get an extra clean mouth with a natural mouthwash formulated with activated charcoal from sustainably sourced bamboo. This ingredient keeps your breath next-level fresh. Powered by tea tree and coconut oils, your mouth will be clean and moisturized without alcohol, dyes, artificial sweeteners, or flavors. It contains zero SLS/sulfates and is vegan-friendly and cruelty-free.

$7.49

2. Listerine Freshburst Mouthwash 500ml

Get fresh breath and a cleaner, healthier mouth with Listerine’s antiseptic mint mouthwash. Add this oral rinse with menthol to your oral care routine and kill 99.9% of germs that cause bad breath, plaque buildup, and gingivitis for a deeper clean than regular brushing and flossing. Rinse twice a day for 30 seconds to get 24-hours of fresh breath and tooth decay and gum disease protection.

$7.99

3. Crest + Scope Mouthwash Classic Original Mint 1 Liter

How do you describe the minty, fresh flavor that started it all? It’s an original. A classic that leaves your breath clean and you bursting with the confidence to get closer. Crest + Scope Classic Mouthwash in Original Mint Flavor kills millions of bacteria that cause halitosis (bad breath) with a minty tingle that leaves you with fresh breath.

$5.39

4. Crest Pro-Health Advanced Multi-Protection Fresh Mint Mouthwash 16.9oz

Clean beyond what you can see with Crest Pro-Health Mouthwash. This fluoride mouthwash helps you maintain stronger teeth for a healthier smile. It also kills the germs that cause bad breath. And thanks to its anticavity ingredients, it helps prevent decay by reinforcing your tooth enamel. Get clean teeth and gums and sweet, fresh breath too.

$7.29

5. Colgate Optic White Fresh Mint Whitening Mouthwash 16oz

Get a powerful mouthwash that actively whitens your teeth and helps prevent future stains by sealing your enamel. Colgate Optic White is enamel-safe, containing 2% hydrogen peroxide, the ingredient recommended by the ADA for a brighter, whiter smile. Its icy mint flavor, alcohol-free, and fluoride-free mouthwash formula freshens morning or between-meal breath without the burn.

$7.29

6. Crest Moisturizing Oral Rinse 16.9oz

Combat mouth dryness with Crest’s Moisturizing Oral Rinse. This alcohol-free mouthwash contains moisturizing ingredients to combat the uncomfortable dry mouth feeling. It’s also formulated with fluoride to help repair weakened enamel and prevent cavities. Enjoy its light mint flavor to refresh your breath. 

$5.29

7. Colgate Swish Invigorating Mint Antibacterial Alcohol Free Mouthwash 16oz

Swish Antibacterial Mouthwash by Colgate in Mild Mint flavor is a new oral and gum care mouthwash formula. It removes 99% of germs and protects against plaque, tartar, and gingivitis. It has no alcohol or artificial dyes, is fluoride-free, and is made with natural mint, always. Get fresh breath, strong teeth, and healthy gums one swish at a time.

$7.29

8. Hello Kids Fluoride Free Natural Watermelon Rinse 16oz

Hello Kids has formulated a great-tasting vegan watermelon rinse with watermelon flavor, soothing aloe vera, and natural sweeteners. Its kid-friendly flavor will have them rushing to rinse away food that brushing may miss while freshening their breath. Hello is fluoride-free without alcohol, artificial colors or flavors, dyes, and no SLS/sulfates. Say hello to a simple oral care routine.

$6.39

9. Colgate Total Advanced Pro-Shield Travel Mouthwash Peppermint Blast 60ml

Get 12-hour protection, even after eating and drinking with Pro-Shield mouthwash. It’s an alcohol-free mouthwash so that you won’t feel any burn. Its antimicrobial formulation will rinse away plaque and 99% of the germs that cause bad breath and gingivitis. You’ll love how fresh your mouth will feel from the delightful peppermint flavor.

$2.49

FAQ

What is the best mouthwash?

With so many types of mouthwashes in your local pharmacy's oral care section, it might be difficult to decide which product is the best one for you. If there’s any doubt, you should talk to your dentistry practitioner. They’re the best person to evaluate your needs and help determine which product you should use. Until then, here are our picks.

Best mouthwash for bad breath: You have two choices when it comes to bad breath. You can cover it up or deal with it at the source. Listerine Freshburst Mouthwash does both. It uses essential oils to freshen your breath and has antimicrobial ingredients to kill odor-causing germs.

Best whitening mouthwash: Colgate Optic White Fresh Mint Whitening Mouthwash helps brighten your smile with 2% hydrogen peroxide, the ingredient most recommended by dentists to whiten teeth. 

Best mouthwash for gingivitis: Gingivitis is caused by a buildup of plaque and tartar on your teeth and can lead to bleeding gums. To help prevent this, you need an antimicrobial mouthwash like Colgate Total Advanced Pro-Shield Peppermint Blast Mouthwash and good brushing and flossing habits.

Best mouthwash for receding gums: Receding gums are a symptom of periodontal disease. To treat them effectively, you may need a prescription-strength mouthwash containing chlorhexidine or other antiseptic agents. It’s best to speak with your dentist for help.

Best mouthwash for tonsil stones: If you’re experiencing tonsil stones, an alcohol-free mouthwash containing CPC like Colgate Swish Invigorating Mint Antibacterial Alcohol-Free Mouthwash can help. If symptoms persist, speak with your dentist.

Best mouthwash for cavities: If you’re looking for extra protection from cavities than brushing alone, you need a mouthwash with fluoride as an active ingredient. Crest + Scope Classic Mouthwash will help fight tooth decay and keep your breath smelling fresh. 

Best mouthwash for braces: Braces require specialized care. Not only are teeth at a higher risk of decay from food trapped around the hardware, but the enamel under the brackets can also become demineralized. Protect and reinforce the tooth enamel by using a mouthwash containing sodium fluoride like Crest Pro-Health Advanced Multi-Protection Fresh Mint Mouthwash every time you brush.

Best mouthwash for kids: If you want to encourage your kids to brush regularly, you need to provide them with great-tasting, gentle products to use every day. A fruit-flavored, alcohol-free mouthwash like Hello Kids Fluoride Free Natural Watermelon Rinse should do the trick.

Best mouthwash for sensitive mouths: Sensitive mouths prone to dryness should be treated with a gentle, alcohol-free mouthwash like Crest Moisturizing Oral Rinse. Its formula contains fluoride to protect your teeth and moisturizing ingredients to soothe any irritation.

What is the #1 dentist-recommended brand of mouthwash?

The oral care brands most recommended by dentists are the products that have received the ADA Seal of Acceptance. These products meet strict requirements for quality and effectiveness and are considered the gold standard in oral care.

Do dentists recommend mouthwash?

Most dentists recommend the use of mouthwash twice a day after brushing. Not only will you feel confident about the state of your breath, but oral rinses are an effective tool to prevent cavities, gingivitis, and other dental issues.