Brushing your teeth with fluoride toothpaste and flossing daily are oral care essentials, however, mouthwash isn't exactly a necessary part of your routine. Think of it as a way to enhance your oral care routine, says Dr. Chris Salierno, the chief dental office at Tend. “Mouthwash is a great addition, but it should complement, not replace, brushing and flossing,” he says. “It can quickly apply special ingredients to your teeth, gums and other oral surfaces for an intended effect, like freshening breath, preventing cities and protecting against gum disease.”
Anyone can use mouthwash, but it’s important to pick the right one for your needs. I talked to dentists to learn how to choose one and how often you should use it. I also rounded up a handful of options from brands like Act, Colgate and Listerine.
Our top picks
Best for city preventionAct Anticity Fluoride Rinse$3.97$5.69AmazonLearn more
Best for bad breathTheraBreath Fresh Breath Oral Rinse$undefined$15.34AmazonLearn moreRelated
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How I picked the best mouthwashesHere's what experts recommend considering while shopping for mouthwash:
ADA Seal of Acceptance: The American Dental Association’s Seal of Acceptance is the gold standard when it comes to oral care products. When you see the seal on packaging, it means the brand submitted evidence to the organization showing that its product meets specific safety and efficacy standards. That doesn’t mean dental care products without the ADA’s seal are ineffective — it just means the brand hasn’t submitted their products for the organization to evaluate.Type: There are two types of mouthwash: therapeutic and cosmetic. Therapeutic mouthwashes are made with active ingredients that address issues like bacteria, gum disease, plaque, dry mouth and tooth decay, says Salierno. Cosmetic mouthwashes, on the other hand, temporarily freshen breath, but they don’t address the root cause of the issue. Think about your needs and talk to your dentist to determine which type of mouthwash you should use.Ingredients: The purpose of a mouthwash dictates what ingredients it’s made with. Therapeutic mouthwashes he active ingredients that target specific issues. For example, fluoride strengthens enamel, reduces decay and prevents cities; essential oils, like menthol, thymol and eucalyptol, reduce plaque and freshen breath; and cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) kills bacteria to reduce bad breath and plaque. Cosmetic mouthwashes, like TheraBreath’s Fresh Breath Oral Rinse, are mainly made with potent florings that linger in your mouth to temporarily get rid of bad breath.Alcohol: Alcohol, which some mouthwashes are made with, can he a drying effect. If you’re prone to dry mouth or he sensitive gums and cheek tissues, oid mouthwashes with this ingredient, says Dr. Matt Messina, an associate professor at The Ohio State University College of Dentistry. Kids should not use mouthwashes with alcohol in case they swallow some — thankfully, most kids’ mouthwashes are alcohol-free, says Salierno.Flor: Mouthwashes can he minty, fruity or herbal flors, some of which are more intense than others. That said, it may take some trial-and-error to find one you like using every day.The best mouthwashes of 2026With all of that in mind, I rounded up ADA-accepted options ailable over the counter. I included important information about each mouthwash, like its type, purpose, active ingredients and what flors it comes in. Every option is also alcohol-free.
Best for city preventionAct Anticity Fluoride Rinse
$3.97$5.69AmazonNow 30% off$4.99TargetType: therapeutic | Purpose: prevent tooth decay | Active ingredients: sodium fluoride | Flors: mint, arctic blast, cinnamonWhat we likeProtects against citiesBuilt-in dosage cupSubtle yet fresh florSomething to noteMade with artificial dyesI've been using this flouride mouthwash ever since my dentist recommended it to me years ago. It helps prevent cities, strengthen enamel and freshen breath, according to the brand. I buy the mint flor, which is concentrated enough to lee my mouth feeling fresh and clean, but subtle enough that it doesn’t last for too long. I appreciate that the bottle’s opening has a built-in dosage cup — you hold the bottle upright, squeeze its center to fill the line on the top and pour it into a cup. You need to give the fluoride in this mouthwash time to work once it’s on your teeth, so the brand recommends not eating or drinking for 30 minutes after rinsing.
Best for bad breathTheraBreath Fresh Breath Oral Rinse
$15.34Amazon$8.69Target$10.99UltaType: cosmetic | Purpose: reduce bad breath | Active ingredients: none | Flors: mild mint, rainforest mint, invigorating icy mintWhat we likeFreshens breathGentle formulaCan use cap to measureSomething to noteBulkier bottleNBC Select commerce editor Cory Fernandez uses TheraBreath’s mouthwash because it has a gentle formula that never makes his gums feel like they’re stinging. He also likes that it comes in various mild flors, all of which lee his breath fresh. The mouthwash kills odor-causing bacteria and gets rid of bad breath for up to 24 hours when you use it every 12 hours after brushing, according to the brand. You can use the bottle’s cap to measure the appropriate serving of mouthwash.
Best for gingivitis preventionColgate Total Active Prevention Mouthwash
$4.96$5.49AmazonNow 10% off$5.49CVS PharmacyType: therapeutic | Purpose: prevent and reduce gingivitis | Active ingredients: cetylpyridinium chloride | Flors: spearmint, peppermintWhat we likeAntibacterial formulaUp to 24 hours of protectionQuickly freshens breathSomething to noteMade with artificial dyes“Because my mom is a dental hygienist, she’s always bringing home oral care products and recommended this mouthwash to me because it’s great for the overall health of my mouth,” says former NBC Select associate reporter Bianca Alvarez. “I use it after brushing and flossing, and I feel like my teeth are cleaner overall and my mouth feels more fresh.” Colgate’s rinse fights the bacteria that contributes to issues like gingivitis, plaque and bad breath for up to 24 hours after use, according to the brand. It’s also made with zinc to help freshen breath. I’ve tried the peppermint flor of this mouthwash, which has a strong flor that quickly gets rid of lingering tastes from food or beverages.
Best for sensitive teethCloSys Silver Healthy Teeth Sensitive Mouth Rinse
$13.97$14.97AmazonNow 7% off$19.99CVS Pharmacy$16.99WalgreensType: therapeutic | Purpose: reduce bad breath | Active ingredients: sodium fluoride | Flors: gentle mintWhat we likeNon-irritating formulaProtects against citiesCap attached to bottleSomething to noteOne flor ailableCloSys’ anticity mouthwash has a non-burning, non-irritating, pH-balanced formula that strengthens tooth enamel and freshens breath, according to the brand. Since the mouthwash has fluoride in it, the brand recommends not eating or drinking for 30 minutes after rinsing.
Best mild tasteListerine Total Care Zero Alcohol Anticity Mouthwash
$7.97$8.90AmazonNow 10% off$8.99CVS Pharmacy$9.99WalgreensType: therapeutic | Purpose: prevent tooth decay | Active ingredients: sodium fluoride | Flors: spearmint, peppermintWhat we likeProtects against citiesStrengthens enamelMild tasteSomething to noteMade with artificial dyesListerine’s mouthwash helps strengthen enamel, prevent cities and freshen breath, according to the brand. It has a mild taste, and since it’s made with fluoride, the brand recommends not eating or drinking for 30 minutes after rinsing.
Best for dry mouthBiotène Dry Mouth Oral Rinse
$10.98$14.09AmazonNow 22% off$14.79Target$12.99CVS PharmacyType: therapeutic | Purpose: temporarily relieve dry mouth symptoms | Active ingredients: none | Flors: fresh mintWhat we likeRelieves dry mouthWorks for up to 4 hoursFreshens breathSomething to noteOne flor ailableThe ingredients in this rinse help moisturize the mouth to relieve dryness and related symptoms like chapped lips, stickiness and bad breath for up to four hours after use, according to the brand. You can use the mouthwash up to five times a day.
Best for bracesColgate Phos-Flur Ortho Defense Oral Rinse
$12.43WalmartType: therapeutic | Purpose: prevent tooth decay | Active ingredients: sodium fluoride | Flors: mint, gushing grapeWhat we likeSupports teeth with bracesProtects against citiesMeasurement marker in capSomething to noteMade with artificial dyesWhite spots sometimes form on teeth when you he braces due to plaque buildup and enamel loss around the brackets and wires. Colgate’s mouthwash helps prevent them by strengthening enamel with fluoride, which also prevents cities, according to the brand. The bottle’s cap has a measurement marker inside it to help you pour out the appropriate amount of rinse.
Best refillableQuip Concentrated Mouthwash
$20.00$39.99QuipNow 50% offType: therapeutic | Purpose: prevent tooth decay | Active ingredients: sodium fluoride, cetylpyridinium chloride | Flors: mintWhat we likeElevated mouthwash dispenserRecyclable refillsRefill subscription ailableSomething to noteOne flor ailableQuip’s mouthwash dispenser looks nicer on your bathroom sink or in your cabinet compared to a typical bottle. The bottle is ailable in plastic and metal finishes, and the cap doubles as a dosage cup. You can either buy recyclable mouthwash concentrate refills as needed or subscribe to a refill plan on Quip’s website. The mouthwash reduces bad breath and helps prevent cities, according to the brand. Since it’s made with fluoride, Quip recommends not eating or drinking for up to 30 minutes after rinsing.
Best for older kidsAct Kids Anticity Fluoride Rinse
$5.99Walgreens$5.29CVS PharmacyType: therapeutic | Purpose: prevent tooth decay | Active ingredients: sodium fluoride | Flors: wild watermelon, bubblegum blowout, groovy grape, pineapple punchWhat we likeVarious fruity florsProtects against citiesBuilt-in dosage cupSomething to noteMade with artificial dyesOnce kids outgrown cartoons on their dental care products, you may want to start buying them a mouthwash like this one instead. It still comes in fruity flors, but its packaging feels a little more grown up. Act’s mouthwash helps prevent cities and strengthen enamel, and since it’s made with fluoride, the brand recommends not eating and drinking for 30 minutes after rinsing. The bottle has a built-in dosage cup — you hold the bottle upright, squeeze its center to fill the line on the top and pour it into a cup.
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selectselectDoes at-home teeth whitening really work? Experts explain.Frequently asked questionsAnyone can add mouthwash to their oral care routine, but it usually benefits people with gum disease, frequent cities, dry mouth and bad breath most, says Salierno. That’s because mouthwash is made with ingredients that specifically target these issues. People who he braces or dental work like bridges also benefit from mouthwash because it can reach areas that brushing might not, he says.
One important thing to keep in mind: if you’re using mouthwash and he persistent bad breath, it may be a sign of an underlying issue, so talk to your dentist, says Salierno.
Ideally, you should use mouthwash twice a day, says Messina: once in the morning and once at night. You can also use it after meals to freshen breath and wash away food particles.
It’s best to use mouthwash after brushing, but make sure you wait at least 30 minutes before rinsing so the fluoride in your toothpaste has time to work, says Salierno. He recommends flossing first to remove debris, brushing second to clean your teeth and rinsing with mouthwash last to kill bacteria and freshen breath. But in general, don’t get too hung up on what order you do your oral care routine in, says Messina. “The order doesn’t matter nearly as much as actually doing it,” he says.
Whitening mouthwashes are typically made with peroxides, like hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide, which can remove stains on teeth and lighten their color. However, because whitening mouthwashes he such a low concentration of peroxides in their formulas, experts say their impact is minimal. If you use them, you’re not likely to see much, if any, improvement in the appearance of your teeth.
Yes, kids over six years old can use mouthwash, says Salierno. Parents need to supervise them while they’re young to make sure they don’t use too much and spit it out after rinsing. Children should use kids’ mouthwashes, which are typically alcohol-free and he milder flors compared to adults’ mouthwashes, he says.
Meet our expertsAt NBC Select, we work with experts who he specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also ensure that all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
Dr. Chris Salierno is the chief dental office at Tend.Dr. Matt Messina is an associate professor at The Ohio State University College of Dentistry and the clinic director of Ohio State’s Upper Arlington Dentistry.Why trust NBC Select?I’m a reporter at NBC Select who has covered oral care since 2020, including topics like toothpaste for kids and adults, whitening toothpaste, electric toothbrushes and water flossers. To write this article, I interviewed two dentists about how to shop for mouthwash and rounded up the best options ailable over-the-counter.
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