The 5 Best Mouthwashes

Nobody wants to be that guy or gal in the corner with bad breath. Luckily, using a good mouthwash can help with that, since it effectively kills the bacteria that's typically associated with foul smells and gross debris. Plus, not only can mouthwash help give you squeaky-clean, minty-fresh breath, it can also help with a host of other oral health concerns. Depending on the type of mouthwash you get, this handy little dental product can help prevent plaque buildup (and therefore prevent cavities), make brushing and flossing more effective (since it helps dislodge debris), strengthen the enamel on your teeth, and give you generally cleaner gums. What's not to love?

Listerine Total Care Anticavity Mouthwash

Make bad breath and tooth decay a thing of the past

When it comes to a great all-in-one mouthwash (preventing tooth decay, improving overall oral health, and freshening up breath), nobody does it better than Listerine.

Best Overall

Find on Amazon

Looking to stave off cavities, help prevent plaque buildup, and get that oh-so-good clean feeling and fresh breath? The Listerine Total Care Anticavity Mouthwash does all of this and more. It’s rich in fluoride, which can help strengthen teeth, restore enamel, and thoroughly clean out your mouth. The fresh mint flavor is awesome, too. Incorporate this top-rated mouthwash into your dental care routine, and you’ll be undoubtedly pleased with the results (in fact, after just seven weeks, this Listerine mouthwash is said to effectively help prevent tooth decay).

Pros:

Super effective at killing germs, strengthening teeth, and freshening up breath.
If used consistently, after seven weeks, this mouthwash can seriously help prevent tooth decay.
Accepted by the American Dental Association’s Seal of Acceptance Program (so you know it’s good).

Cons:

Not alcohol-free.

Crest Scope Outlast Mouthwash

Get the most bang for your buck

The Crest Scope Outlast Mouthwash is affordable, yes, but it's also very effective at keeping your mouth sparkling clean and your breath smelling like a rose.

Best Value

Find on Amazon

The Crest Scope Outlast Mouthwash is an awesome value buy, especially if your main concerns are getting fresher breath and a cleaner mouth. It’s specifically formulated to give you a clean, tingly, minty-fresh feeling that truly lasts, and it does this by killing off 99 percent of bad breath germs.

Pros:

The minty fresh taste is simply delicious.
Gotta love that price tag.

Cons:

It’s not as effective at preventing plaque buildup and protecting your teeth from decay and gingivitis as the other mouthwashes on this list.

Crest ProHealth Advanced Alcohol-Free Mouthwash

Helps with bad breath, no alcohol needed

If you'd prefer your mouthwash to be alcohol-free (hint: those with dry mouth should consider it), look no further than this Crest version.

Best Alcohol-Free

Find on Amazon

If you experience any dry-mouth symptoms or burning sensations when you gargle, an alcohol-free mouthwash is probably just what the doctor ordered. The Crest ProHealth Advanced Alcohol-Free Mouthwash helps to prevent cavities, strengthen enamel, and clean your teeth and gums, but it’s not as harsh or drying as other mouthwashes that contain alcohol.

Pros:

Not as irritating as other mouthwash formulas, and it still kills 99 percent of the bacteria that causes bad breath. Especially if you deal with dry mouth, this is an excellent mouthwash to get.

Cons:

The bottle is fairly small.

Philips Sonicare Breathrx Antibacterial Mouth Rinse

Say goodbye to pesky plaque, once and for all.

Fight icky plaque buildup and reduce your risk for gingivitis with this Philips Sonicare mouthwash.

Best Plaque Prevention

Find on Amazon

Plaque, be gone: The Philips Sonicare Breathrx Antibacterial Mouth Rinse is a wonderful little tool for fighting off the bacteria that can cause gum disease and help break up plaque. If you regularly endure cavities and have to get fillings, this mouthwash can greatly help both prevent new cavities from occurring and even repair minor cavities. In addition, it attacks and neutralizes any foul-smelling odors, so you can rest assured your breath smells nice and fresh.

Pros:

Really above-average when it comes to fighting plaque.
Contains ZYTEX, which is the brand’s odor-neutralizing “secret weapon.”

Cons:

Might not be the right price point for every budget.

Biotene Fresh Mint Moisturizing Oral Rinse Mouthwash

Gotta love that cool mint flavor

This Biotene mouthwash is equally effective and great-smelling.

Best Flavor

Find on Amazon

Improving your oral health is important, sure, but if you don’t like the taste of your mouthwash, you probably won’t use it as often. Which is why Biotene’s Fresh Mint Moisturizing Oral Rinse Mouthwash is so great. It really does taste better than most other mouthwashes out there, with its super-minty flavor that’s both mild and pleasant (as we all know, this isn’t the case with many mouthwashes). Bonus: It’s also great for those with dry mouth, since it soothes and moisturizes your mouth for up to four hours after you ingest it.

Pros:

Doesn’t have the intense, abrasive, faintly chemical-y taste that some other mouthwashes have. On the contrary, the smell and flavor is gentle and pleasant.
Soothes and moisturizes for up to four hours, so it’s great for those with dry mouth.

Cons:

It’s a good idea to invest in several bottles at once, since a single bottle doesn’t last very long.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does mouthwash do?

Mouthwash can be an effective tool in the fight against tooth decay, gingivitis, and other oral health issues. It also temporarily reduces bad breath.

How do I know if I should use mouthwash?

If you’re looking for a solid addition to your regular dental health lineup, a good mouthwash is definitely that. However, mouthwash shouldn’t be used in place of twice-daily brushing, regular flossing, and twice-yearly visits to the dentist.

What type of mouthwash is best for me?

Depending on your specific needs and preferences, there are several types of mouthwash to choose from. Dealing with plaque buildup? Go for a mouthwash that was specifically made to fight plaque. Struggle with dry mouth? Then you’ll probably want to get an alcohol-free mouthwash, since dental products that contain alcohol can dry out your mouth.