At Iqaluit Dental Clinic, we know that bad breath can get even the best of us. Even if you have a strict oral hygiene regimen, never skip flossing, and visit the dentist twice a year, you may suffer from bad breath. Let’s check out the best mouthwashes for dealing with bad breath. 

1. Criteria for choosing a mouthwash – All mouthwashes aren’t the same. Some are for cosmetic purposes while others are therapeutic. You need the latter. The medical term for bad breath is halitosis. Cosmetic mouthwashes temporarily eliminate bad breath while therapeutic mouthwashes minimize bacteria, kill germs and effectively get rid of bad breath for a long time.

They can also help with gingivitis, dry mouth, receding gums and plaque buildup. While choosing a mouthwash for bad breath, make sure that it aligns with your health goals. You don’t want a cosmetic mouthwash that gives you confidence by eliminating bad breath at that moment. 

2. DIY mouthwash – If you’re on a strict budget, you can make an effective mouthwash with regular ingredients available at home. DIY mouthwashes are usually made from baking soda. Baking soda is a base and helps to neutralize the acidity in your oral cavity while killing off germs and bacteria. Research shows that toothpaste with high concentrations of baking soda can effectively reduce bad breath.

To make a DIY mouthwash for bad breath, add two teaspoons of baking soda to a cup of warm water. If you want to add flavours to your DIY mouthwash, you can boil mint leaves and strain them out or add green tea to the warm water before adding baking soda. You can add different types of ingredients as long as it isn’t acidic and doesn’t contain any sugar. With that out of the way, let’s check out the best mouthwashes in the market that can help you deal with bad breath.

3.  Listerine Total Care Anticavity Fluoride Mouthwash – This mouthwash from Listerine provides a ton of benefits. A cap full of this mouthwash can kill around 99.9% of germs that cause bad breath. The mouthwash also has fluoride that helps to restore enamel, strengthens your teeth and fights off plaque formation and cavities. Swish this mouthwash inside your oral cavity for around a minute to get rid of bad breath. You’ll also end with a zesty and clean feeling at the end. However, this one may not be suitable for kids since it contains alcohol.

4.  RiseWell Balancing Mouthwash – Unlike most other mouthwashes in the market, this one is entirely made out of natural ingredients. While it is significantly expensive compared to other mouthwashes, it uses natural ingredients and doesn’t contain any chemicals that are harsh on your mouth. It is also completely free from artificial flavours, colours and preservatives. The mouthwash is made using sodium bicarbonate and xylitol to kill off harmful bacteria in your mouth while its naturally alkaline pH helps to neutralize the acidity level in the oral cavity. It is also completely cruelty-free and is flavoured with natural ingredients like peppercorn and mint.   

5. Crest Pro-Health Advanced Mouthwash – When you use this mouthwash from Crest, you don’t just kill off the bad breath-inducing bacteria in your mouth. You also get brighter and whiter teeth. Apart from being infused with fluoride, this mouthwash is also free from alcohol. So, you also get stronger teeth with cavity resistance while not ending up with a dry mouth at the end. It helps to brighten your teeth by removing mild surface stains. Your breath would also be instantly freshened due to the mint flavour. It’s also very affordable since you get around twice the amount of mouthwash for the same price as its peers in the market.

6. Exershield Go Mouthwash packets – Anyone would be thrown off when they come across these Go Mouthwash packets. They are very unique in their packaging and are designed for eliminating bad breath while you travel. Dentists recommend that you use mouthwash after every meal. However, most times, it’s simply inconvenient to carry a bottle of mouthwash and gum isn’t enough to get rid of bad breath.

That’s where these packs come in. you can carry a couple of packs on you when you go out and use one while you’re at the hotel, in the restaurant’s washroom, on your flight and more such places. It is TSA-approved, free from harsh ingredients and added colours and kills most of the germs that cause bad breath.   

7. Hello Bye Bye Bacteria – This mouthwash has a simple name and justifies it by executing the things it promises. This all-natural mouthwash is made from zinc and tea tree oil and has a refreshing mint flavour. It is designed to kill bad breath bacteria in your mouth and keep them from growing for several hours. Despite using natural ingredients and being alcohol-free, this mouthwash doesn’t cost a lot and doesn’t leave any aftertaste. So, you don’t have to worry about the mouthwash messing with your ability to taste food.

8. Marvis Mouthwash – Marvis is renowned for its vintage-inspired packaging and it shows on this bottle of mouthwash. The glass bottle looks amazing and the overall packaging blends in with their other lineup of skincare and haircare products. It looks amazing on your countertop with its premium looks. However, looking pretty isn’t the only thing it’s good at.

While the packaging looks old, the ingredients are completely modern and very effective at killing off bacteria and their biofilm that causes bad breath. The mouthwash has propolis and xylitol to leave your mouth with a fresh and clean feeling. While it has many strong points, this mouthwash also uses alcohol. That may put many people off, considering the high price.            

At Iqaluit Dental Clinic, we suggest that you assess your requirements and choose a mouthwash from the above-mentioned options. They have been used by thousands of people across North America and can help you get rid of bad breath while reducing the plaque formation in your oral cavity.