There are a ton of mouthwashes to choose from, so figuring out which is best for you can feel challenging. One thing all of these products have in common is the American Dental Association’s (ADA) Seal of Acceptance, which provides assurance based on scientific evidence that the product meets specific standards for safety and efficacy. Read on for the best mouthwashes for your teeth and breath.

Best Mouthwashes For Your Teeth

Crest Pro-Health Multi-Protection

The active ingredient in this mouthwash is cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC), a broad-spectrum antimicrobial agent that’s effective against bad breath, tooth decay, and conditions such as gingivitis and receding or bleeding gums.

It’s alcohol-free so it won’t burn, making it a good choice if you have dry mouth or areas of irritation. Users say they like the minty aftertaste it leaves.

This product may temporarily stain your teeth, requiring strategic teeth brushing or regular cleanings at the dentist’s office. If you have sensitive gums and can’t stand the burning sensation caused by other mouthwashes, this negative may be worth the trade-off.

For a small number of people, the CPC ingredient may leave a taste in their mouth that they find unpleasant, or it may temporarily affect the way foods taste. In these cases, you may want to look at a different mouthwash.

Crest Pro-Health Advanced with Extra Whitening

This product is alcohol-free. It contains fluoride for fighting cavities and hydrogen peroxide for removing surface stains and whitening teeth.

It also strengthens tooth enamel and kills the germs responsible for causing bad breath. Users find that it can take several months to see whitening results.

ACT Dry Mouth

ACT Dry Mouth mouthwash is alcohol-free and doesn’t burn. It’s highly effective at reducing dry mouth for many hours after use. It also contains fluoride, making it an effective cavity fighter.

This mouthwash lists xylitol as an inactive ingredient. Xylitol increases the amount of saliva in the mouth and reduces S. mutans bacteria, which cause plaque to form on teeth.

You’ll get the best results for dry mouth if you follow package directions exactly, and swish ACT Dry Mouth in your mouth for at least 1 full minute. Many users report that this mouthwash tastes good, making this task fairly easy.

Colgate Total Pro-Shield

This mouthwash has a mild, peppermint taste and an alcohol-free formula. Its active ingredient is cetylpyridinium chloride. Colgate Total Pro-Shield is a good choice for reducing plaque buildup and for keeping breath fresh.

It kills germs for up to 12 hours, even after eating meals. This mouthwash is a good choice for eliminating the germs and bacteria that cause gingivitis, which can lead to periodontitis and receding gums.

Listerine Cool Mint Antiseptic

The active ingredients in Listerine Antiseptic are menthol, thymol, eucalyptol, and methyl salicylate. Along with its alcohol base, these essential oils provide an intense, minty tingle that’s pleasing for some users, but too strong for others.

The essential oils in Listerine Antiseptic have antimicrobial properties, making them very effective at reducing plaque, gingivitis, receding gums, and bad breath.

TheraBreath Fresh Breath

TheraBreath is alcohol-free and antibacterial. It reduces sulfur-producing bacteria in the mouth, eliminating even severe bad breath for up to 1 day.

Its active ingredients include peppermint oil, citric acid, castor oil, tetrasodium edta, sodium bicarbonate, sodium chlorite, and sodium benzoate. Some people find that TheraBreath alters their taste buds temporarily.

StellaLife Vega Oral Care Rinse

Dr. Grace Vershinina started her practice, Beverly Hills BioDental, with a passion for natural dentistry. She recommends StellaLife VEGA Oral Rinse because it’s a chemical-free, homeopathic microbial product. “It freshens breath while killing over 99 percent of strep mutans and half of anaerobic bacterial loads,” said Dr. Vershinina. “At Beverly Hills BioDental we use the rinse before and after dental procedures, but of course it’s great for regular daily hygiene.”

Hello Oral Care Activated Charcoal Extra Freshening Fluoride Free and Alcohol Free Mouthwash

This mouthwash is black, but don’t let its dark hue intimidate you though, it’s actually all-natural and formulated from activated charcoal. This will leave your breath smelling fresh and your mouth feeling clean!

CloSYS Sensitive Mouthwash, Gentle Mint Mouthwash

If you can’t take the burning sensation that’s pretty common with typical mouthwashes, you’ll love this alcohol-free option from CloSYS. The fact that it’s alcohol-free also means that it won’t leave your mouth feeling dry, which can be a big deterrent for some people. It’s also sulfate, triclosan and gluten free.