Best Mouthwashes of 2025

When it comes to buying essentials for oral health, many people can feel overwhelmed by the amount of choices available to them. While it’s easy to pick a toothbrush and toothpaste, picking a mouthwash can get confusing.

Different brands all claim to freshen breath, fight cavities, and soothe sensitive gums. But which one is the best for you?

Here’s our pick for some of the best mouthwashes available today.

How Did We Make This List?

As smile specialists, we only want what’s best for your teeth. That’s why we asked Dr. Khushbu Gopalakrishnan, one of NewMouth’s in-house dentists, to evaluate mouthwashes based on the following criteria:

• Ingredients ⁠— Making sure they work and are safe for you
• Results — What they can do for your smile
• User reviews — We looked for consistent positive feedback

Meet the Expert

Dr. Khushbu Gopalakrishnan specializes in clinical dentistry and consults for several organizations, including Dr. Clobo and Kaplan. She obtained her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree in 2014 from UCLA School of Dentistry and completed a one-year general dentistry residency in a hospital setting.

7 Best Mouthwashes Picked By A Dentist

Here are the top picks from NewMouth’s in-house dentist:

Crest Pro-Health Multi-Protection

Our Dentist’s Choice

Dr. Gopalakrishnan recommends Crest Pro-Health Multi-Protection due to its alcohol-free formula. Unlike most brands we know, it can kill 99% of bacteria without the burning sensation in your mouth—making it gentle for everyday use.

It also contains cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC), a powerful ingredient that fights plaque and gingivitis so you’ll have a healthier smile.

Things We Like

• Soothes irritated gums in people with gingivitis
• Leaves your mouth feeling clean and fresh
• Keeps your breath smelling great for hours

Things We Don’t Like

• May cause yellow teeth stains if you have poor dental hygiene
• Some users don’t feel a difference when adding it to their routine

Crest 3D Glamorous White

Best Teeth Whitening

Want to keep your teeth looking white? Try adding Crest 3D’s Whitening Mouthwash to your routine. 

It uses sodium fluoride, hydrated silica, and hydrogen peroxide to remove surface stains and prevent them from forming again. Since it doesn’t contain alcohol, it won’t sting or dry out your mouth.

Things We Like

• Noticeably whitens teeth after several weeks of use
• Doesn’t burn or irritate the mouth like other brands
• Freshens your breath for hours

Things We Don’t Like

• The flavor is more sweet than minty
• Contains sucralose—an artificial sweetener

ACT Restoring Anticavity Mouthwash

Best Cavity Prevention

ACT Restoring Anticavity Mouthwash stands out for its ability to strengthen and remineralize teeth. Its high concentration of fluoride (approved by the American Dental Association) helps fight cavities and reverses early signs of tooth decay.

The mouthwash comes in a variety of flavors too, which include Cool Mint, Cinnamon, and kid-friendly options like Bubblegum and Groovy Grape. However, Dr. Gopalakrishnan says some of these flavors may be too strong for you.

Things We Like

• Dentists recommend it for remineralizing teeth
• Reduces sensitivity and prevents cavities
• Gives you a fresh and clean-feeling mouth

Things We Don’t Like

• Some flavors may sting based on reviews
• Few people complained of a metallic aftertaste

TheraBreath Fresh Breath Oral Rinse

Best Mouthwash for Bad Breath

TheraBreath’s Oral Rinse does more than mask bad breath. It promotes lasting freshness by neutralizing the bacteria that may be causing it.

This dentist-developed formula has the ADA Seal of Acceptance, so it’s safe and effective. It’s also suitable for many lifestyles and dietary restrictions since it’s vegan, kosher, alcohol-free, and gluten-free.

Things We Like

• Eliminates bad breath and keeps it fresh even if you eat or drink
• Gentle formula that won’t burn or sting your mouth
• Has a mild flavor that doesn’t overpower

Things We Don’t Like

• Hard to find in stores—it’s best that you buy online
• May not work on everyone with bad breath

Biotène Dry Mouth Oral Rinse

Best Dry Mouth Relief

Biotène’s Dry Mouth Oral Rinse is specially formulated to soothe dry mouth. It contains xylitol and sorbitol, sugars that encourage salivation and inhibit bacteria.

This prevents bad breath and makes activities like eating and talking more comfortable. Dr. Gopalakrishnan says it does contain glycerin as a moistening agent, which produces a “thick texture that may not be palatable for some.”

Things We Like

• Relieves dry mouth and keeps it moist for hours
• Doesn’t cause burning or stinging
• Has a pleasant flavor that freshens your breath

Things We Don’t Like

• Unusual taste and thick texture that needs getting used to
• Not easily available in local stores

CloSYS Ultra Sensitive

Best for Sensitive Teeth

CloSYS Non-Irritating Rinse is extra gentle on your mouth thanks to its mild pH-balanced ingredients. It contains stabilized chlorine dioxide (Cloralstan), trisodium phosphate, and citric acid to kill 99% of bacteria in 10 seconds while fighting plaque and tooth sensitivity all at once.

This unique formula is also ADA-approved for reducing bad breath, although it’s “on the more costly side” says Dr. Gopalakrishnan.

Things We Like

• It’s gentle and doesn’t burn the mouth
• Keeps your mouth fresh and clean for hours
• Optional dropper lets you control the flavor strength

Things We Don’t Like

• Some users don’t like the unflavored variant
• Limited availability in local stores

Listerine Ultraclean

Best for Healthy Gums

Listerine Ultraclean Mouthwash is a powerful antiseptic, which is why Dr. Gopalakrishnan recommends it for fighting gum disease. It relies on essential oils (namely eucalyptol, menthol, thymol, and methyl salicylate) with proven antibacterial and antifungal properties to kill 99.9% of germs that cause gingivitis and bad breath.

However, Dr. Gopalakrishnan says some of these ingredients may cause a temporary burning sensation in the mouth.

Things We Like

• Cleans your teeth, reduces plaque, and makes gums feel healthier
• Leaves your mouth feeling fresh even after eating or drinking
• Choose from alcohol-containing and alcohol-free variants

Things We Don’t Like

• It may cause dry mouth in some people
• Few users find its mint flavor too strong
• Poor oral hygiene could increase your risk of staining

How To Choose The Best Mouthwash

The best way to choose a good mouthwash for you is to understand your oral health goal. Do you want to freshen your breath, prevent cavities, or relieve dry mouth?

Dr. Gopalakrishnan says to look for mouthwashes that provide the benefits you’re after. Here are some common ingredients and what they can do:

• Cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) — Prevents plaque and gingivitis
• Stabilized chlorine dioxide — Kills bacteria and prevents bad breath
• Fluoride — Fights cavities and strengthens the enamel
• Calcium or calcium phosphate — Remineralizes teeth
• Hydrogen peroxide — Bleaching agent used to remove stains
• Essential oils — Fight bad breath and gum disease
• Zinc — A mineral that helps prevent halitosis
• Xylitol — Prevents cavities and sweetens the mouthwash
• Sodium bicarbonate — Neutralizes oral pH so it’s less acidic
• Chlorhexidine — A strong anti-plaque ingredient

You’ll want to avoid mouthwashes containing alcohol and sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), especially if you have sensitive teeth or are easily irritated. They can dry your mouth, cause a burning sensation, or irritate your gums. 

Additionally, Dr. Gopalakrishnan says they might even lead to ulcers and peeling gums. Ultimately, it’s best to talk to your dentist and ask for mouthwash recommendations. They can pick a brand that best suits your needs.