13 Best Mouthwashes for Bad Breath

Halitosis, more commonly referred to as bad breath, is a widespread issue affecting numerous people globally. More than just being socially embarrassing, it often indicates the presence of underlying dental health concerns like tooth decay or periodontal disease. Insufficient oral hygiene practices such as inadequate brushing and flossing or not thoroughly cleaning the tongue majorly contribute towards halitosis.

Moreover specific choices in one's lifestyle like cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption have a significant influence on mouth odour (Halitosis). Consumption of certain pungent foods - including garlic, onions and various spices – also play a notable role since their strong smells persist long after they've been digested.

In some instances, chronic bad breath might even indicate serious systemic conditions like diabetes, kidney disorders or lung diseases, which ought to be addressed medically for overall wellness and relief from this irritating symptom.

Addressing the root cause of bad breath through improved oral care routines remains essential. Still, sometimes, one requires immediate relief, especially during social interactions when subconscious self-awareness overpowers engagement ease. 

Mouthwashes target bad breath by providing immediate freshness and neutralizing foul odours. They often contain strong ingredients that fight odour-causing bacteria to improve oral health, not merely mask smells. Their diverse formulas—combining antibacterials, oxidizers for suppressing sulfur compounds causing stench, and fluoride for guarding against cavities—allow one to choose according to individual needs.

What Causes Bad Breath?

Halitosis, or bad breath, often stems from inadequate oral hygiene. Leftover food particles facilitate bacterial growth between teeth and on the tongue, causing a foul smell.

Certain strongly flavoured foods like onions or garlic are common culprits of malodor, which can linger until completely metabolised in the body. 

Smoking is another significant contributor to bad breath while also staining teeth and heightening the risk for gum disease – factors exacerbating persistent halitosis.

Systemic conditions such as diabetes, acid reflux, infections of the throat/nose/sinus region, and kidney/liver ailments, among others, have been linked with chronic halitosis, too.

Lastly, inadequate hydration leads to dry mouth, which results in an unpleasant odour due to insufficient saliva.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall: Listerine Cool Mint Mouthwash

Also Great: Sensodyne Pronamel Mouthwash

Best For Sensitive Teeth: Sensodyne's alcohol-free mouthwash

Best Budget: Arm & Hammer's

Best For Plaque: Dentyl Dual Action mouthwash

Best For Cavity Protection: Listerine Total Care

Best For Gum Disease: Colgate's PerioGard

Best Natural: the TheraNeem Neem

Best For Dry Mouth: biotène Oral Rinse Mouthwash

Listerine Cool Mint Mouthwash

Listerine Cool Mint Mouthwash is a 500ml oral hygiene liquid that guarantees fresh breath and enhances overall dental health. Its exhilarating minty flavour provides instantaneous freshness alongside combating harmful mouth bacteria. Consistent application lessens plaque accumulation, which can lead to tooth decay and gum disease—a testament to its effectiveness manifested in a perfect customer rating of 5/5. Set at an affordable price point of £4.21 for a 500 ml bottle, it offers value through potency and volume.

Sensodyne Pronamel Mouthwash

Designed in partnership with dentists, Sensodyne Pronamel Mouthwash is a potent dental hygiene enhancer. Twice daily use provides significant support for tooth enamel re-hardening and guards against acid erosion. This mint formula is alcohol-free, ensuring oral health improvement alongside breath-freshening benefits. This 250ml product costs £4.55 and boasts an impressive rating of 5/5.

Sensodyne Cool Mint Fluoride Mouthwash

Sensodyne's alcohol-free mouthwash offers protection against sensitivity. Formulated with an active ingredient that creates a soothing barrier around nerve endings within the tooth while providing fluoride to strengthen teeth, it strikes a balance between comfort and fortification of oral health. Typically priced at about £6.28 per bottle and rated 5/5, this dual-action product leaves breath minty fresh and gives users a feeling of cleanliness emanating from its meticulously curated formula.

Arm & Hammer 3 In 1 Mouthwash

Arm & Hammer mouthwash solution brings a threefold formula that supports teeth whitening, fights bad breath, and guards against cavities. Enriched with potent cleaning abilities plus an antibacterial component to control plaque accumulation, it effectively neutralizes odors for enduring freshness. The fluoride content further aids in staving off enamel erosion and decay. It provides good value for the multi-faceted benefits offered, has a customer rating of 5/5, and costs £1.50.

Dentyl Dual Action Fresh Clove CPC Mouthwash

The Dentyl Dual Action mouthwash offers more than mere breath freshening. Its unique formula merges the antimicrobial agent Cetylpyridinium Chloride (CPC) with Isopropyl Myristate (IPM). Recent studies have revealed that using it twice daily reduces plaque by over 60% within a month. It is typically priced at £3.69 and has a customer rating of 5/5.

Listerine Total Care Clean Mint Mouthwash

Listerine Total Care is a comprehensive oral hygiene solution. It fights plaque and germs in the mouth and has six key benefits: cavity prevention, teeth strengthening, breath freshening, enamel restoration, and gum disease combatant. It costs £3.10 and has a customer rating of 4.5/5.

Colgate PerioGard Gum Protection Mouthwash

Colgate's PerioGard is a 400ml mouthwash offering comprehensive gum protection. It fights gingivitis and oral bacteria, enhancing overall dental health. Its formulation includes powerful antiseptics that are gentle on the user's mouth, with fluoride for added cavity defence, which helps prevent bad breath. With a customer rating of 5/5 and Priced around £4.58 per bottle, it's designed to be used twice daily, providing a refreshing taste, unlike other medicinal-flavored oral products.

TheraNeem Neem Mouthwash

Embracing Ayurvedic tradition, TheraNeem Neem mouthwash incorporates neem extract, known for its beneficial effect on oral health. This cooling herbal mint formula not only freshens breath but soothes gums. With a rating of 4.7/5 and Sold around £11.66 per bottle, it promises to be vegan-friendly with lab-verified purity.

biotène Oral Rinse Mouthwash

Biotene's 33.8 fl oz (around a litre) Oral Rinse Mouthwash is designed to combat dry mouth symptoms while freshening breath with its mint flavour. It has a unique formulation that provides soothing, lubricating moisture in the oral cavity for up to four hours of relief and helps maintain balanced pH levels.

Usually priced between £7-£9 per bottle, it offers value through its dual function as both a bad-breath alleviator and dry-mouth reliever without containing alcohol or sugar.

Corsodyl Mouthwash Mint

Corsodyl Mint Mouthwash, priced at £5.40 and with a customer rating of 4.6/5, is a dental aid designed for maintaining oral health while freshening breath. Its alcohol-free formula gently cleanses the mouth, protecting against plaque and gum problems. The usage entails rinsing with water to remove food particles first, then filling the mouthwash cap to its marked line before swishing it around in your mouth for 30 seconds. It's crucial not to swallow it but to spit it out instead, followed by another rinse with water afterwards. Twice daily use post brushing or as directed by a dentist/physician is advised to avoid any ingestion at least thirty minutes post-use. 

ACT Total Care Mouthwash

ACT Total Care is an alcohol-free mouthwash designed to help maintain oral hygiene. The fresh mint taste infused in an 18-fluid-ounce bottle promises a refreshing experience each time it's used. Four advantages of using this product include cavity prevention, teeth strengthening, killing of bad breath germs, and providing freshness in the breath. It has a customer rating of 4.7/5. Typically priced at about £12.38 per bottle, the dentist-recommended fluoride brand helps promote healthy teeth and ensures fresher breath over time.

SmartMouth DDS Activated Clinical Mouthwash & Original Activated Mouthwash

SmartMouth mouthwashes use a sophisticated zinc ion formula that is alcohol-free and paraben-free, ensuring a comfortable rinse experience. The specific design to target sulfur gas guarantees fresh breath lasting 24 hours and invigorates the freshness of mint flavour all day. It has a customer rating of 4.5/5 and costs £21.70.

Crest Pro-Health Multi-Protection Mouthwash

Crest Pro-Health offers an effective solution for oral hygiene issues. It effectively kills 99% of germs, thereby maintaining a healthier mouth environment. It also reduces gum inflammation and bleeding gums tied to early stages of gum disease. Remarkably, it accomplishes all these without the burn often linked to alcohol-based mouthwashes. It has a customer rating of 4.6/5 and a price of £3.21.

Takeaway

Mouthwashes offer a quick and efficient solution to bad breath by instantly freshening the mouth while targeting odour-causing bacteria. Options range from all-in-one solutions like Listerine Total Care and dry-mouth-focused Biotene Oral Rinse to many more tailored to individual needs. However, remember these are aids supplementing routine brushing with fluoride toothpaste and daily flossing for overall oral health maintenance.

Frequently asked questions

What is the most effective mouthwash for bad breath?

Listerine Cool Mint Mouthwash is the best and most effective for bad breath.

Which mouthwash is best for daily use?

Sensodyne Pronamel Mouthwash is the best mouthwash and can be used twice daily.

Which toothpaste is best for bad breath?

There are multiple toothpastes for bad breath, but Listerine Total Care is the best. It also offers various benefits, including cavity prevention, teeth strengthening, breath freshening, enamel restoration, and gum disease combatant.

Does Colgate remove bad breath?

Yes, Colgate products like toothpaste and mouthwash are designed to combat bad breath by fighting bacteria and providing a fresh, minty smell.