Best Antibacterial Mouthwashes (2024)

Bacteria is a common cause of bad breath. Even if you brush or floss, food can still get stuck in your tongue or teeth and cause bacteria to thrive. Certain conditions, such as dry mouth, plaque, and advanced gum disease, also attract bacteria and increase your risk for halitosis or foul-smelling breath.

According to Dr. Khushbu Gopalakrishnan, one of NewMouth’s in-house dentists, an antibacterial mouthwash can freshen breath by reducing bacteria in the mouth and fighting off active infections, such as gingivitis.

She says antimicrobial and antiseptic mouthwashes with antibacterial properties are even better. In addition to killing bacteria, they attack spores, fungi, and viruses.

We asked Dr. Gopalakrishnan to help our team find the best antibacterial mouthwashes in the market. Together, we evaluated products based on:

• 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.

3 Best Antibacterial Mouthwashes of 2024

Here are three of the best brands of antibacterial mouthwash:

Crest Pro-Health Intense 99% Germ Kill

Best Overall

Crest Pro-Health Intense Clean Mint is no one-trick pony. Besides getting rid of bad breath, the antiseptic mouth rinse reduces plaque and helps with early signs of gingivitis—including gum bleeding and inflammation.

Its active ingredient, cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC), works by killing 99% of the bacteria, fungi, and microbes that tend to cause these issues so they don’t persist.

Things We Like

• Makes your mouth feel clean
• Doesn’t burn or sting like other brands of mouthwash
• Mint flavor keeps the breath fresh for several hours

Things We Don’t Like

• Poor oral hygiene may cause stains when you use this product
• Some people don’t like its intense minty flavor
• Contains alcohol

CloSYS Ultra Sensitive Non-Irritating Rinse

Best for Fresh Breath

CloSYS Ultra Sensitive uses a gentle alcohol-free formula to fight bad breath, plaque, and tooth sensitivity without hurting or drying your mouth. Dr. Gopalakrishnan explains it’s because of the pH-balanced ingredients like stabilized chlorine dioxide (Cloralstan), trisodium phosphate, and citric acid.

The antibacterial mouthwash also has the American Dental Association (ADA) Seal of Acceptance, making it a safe and effective choice for people with sensitive teeth.

Things We Like

• Won’t cause burning or discomfort
• Leaves your mouth feeling clean and fresh for hours
• You can control the flavor strength with an optional dropper

Things We Don’t Like

• Some customers don’t like its unflavored variant
• Hard to find in local stores

Therabreath Healthy Gums Oral Rinse

Best for Gum Health

TheraBreath’s Healthy Gums Oral Rinse takes gum health seriously. It uses a periodontist-developed formula and contains cetylpyridinium chloride, which is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for gingivitis and gum disease.

Dr. Gopalakrishnan says this ingredient also combats bad breath and prevents plaque and tartar. Since it’s alcohol-free, it’s gentle on your gums and mouth.

Things We Like

• Noticeably improves gum health with long-term use
• Doesn’t cause a burning sensation like other mouthwashes
• Your breath will feel fresh even after a few hours of rinsing

Things We Don’t Like

• Has a weird initial taste that needs getting used to

Choosing The Best Antibacterial Mouth Rinse

Dr. Gopalakrishnan recommends mouthwashes that give you the results you want. Whether you want fresh breath or healthier gums, here are some ingredients to look out for in antibacterial mouthwash:

Ingredients for Gingivitis and Plaque

• Cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC)
• Essential oils (e.g., menthol)
• Chlorhexidine

Mouthwashes that use a combination of chlorhexidine, cetylpyridinium chloride, and zinc lactate can also treat halitosis. However, they can stain your teeth, tongue, or dental restorations if you use them for extended periods.

Ingredients for Halitosis (Bad Breath)

• Cetylpyridinium chloride
• Essential oils (e.g., menthol)
• Chlorhexidine
• Chlorine dioxide
• Zinc salts
• Ketone
• Terpene
• Ionone

It’s important to visit your dentist immediately if you have persistently foul breath, gum inflammation, bleeding gums, or heavy plaque buildup. 

Your dentist can help you determine which mouthwash is best for your oral health or if you need other treatments.