Do you need a good non-toxic mouthwash you can trust that is good for your oral microbiome, bad breath, teeth, & gums? While we are all thinking about brushing, flossing, and gum disease, Mamavation took a look at the most popular 100+ mouthwash products and ranked them for you based on ingredients that support your oral microbiome according to the most recent research. You’ve trusted Mamavation to bring you topics like , best non-toxic collagen, & best probiotics, now join us as we bring you the best non-toxic mouthwashes for your oral microbiome, bad breath, teeth, & gums.
Disclosure: This post was medically reviewed by Sondra Strand, RN, BSN, PHN. It also contains affiliate links.
Table of Contents
Mouthwashes can Throw Your Oral Microbiome into Disarray
In 2019, a study found that reengineering the oral microbiome by using common mouthwashes and other bacteria-killing dental treatments to prevent disease doesn’t work. In other words, when your oral care routine includes products that can destroy your oral microbiome, which is the natural bacteria inside your mouth, you can delay the healing process and immunity your body naturally has for disease.
Just like how antibiotics can be overused, so can mouthwashes that contain bacteria-killing ingredients. There is good bacteria inside your mouth, neutral bacteria, and bad bacteria. Because mouthwashes indiscriminately remove ALL bacteria, the good and neutral bacteria are not left behind to help your mouth heal. Good bacteria supporting your oral microbiome is needed to decrease the risk of common issues like cavities, gingivitis, and bad breath.
The Ingredients in Mouthwash Are Linked to Diabetes
Some studies have linked the overuse of mouthwash to diabetes & other similar symptoms. In 2019, researchers published a study linking frequent regular use of over-the-counter mouthwash with an increased risk of developing pre-diabetes/diabetes. The study was a longitudinal study looking 1,206 overweight patients in San Juan around the age of 40-65 years. At the beginning, the patients were free from diabetes and other major cardiovascular diseases. Over the period of years, the ones that overused mouthwash was more likely to develop diabetes. Some researchers surmise this is linked to the oral microbiome and therefore good oral hygiene, depending on the products used, can have an effect on your health.
Mouthwash Linked to More Cavities & Decrease of Saliva
According to Ask The Dentist, “contrary to popular belief, the killing of ‘99.9% of germs’ does not actually aid your dental health by preventing cavity formation.”
They explain that your oral microbiome exists to help the natural remineralization of your teeth, which is needed for natural cavity protection. If you kill ALL the bacteria inside your mouth with mouthwashes, you are not only killing the bad bacteria, but also the good and neutral bacteria you need. We’ve been so programmed by marketing to think that anti-gingivitis and anti-plague are behavior is all about strong mouthwashes, but the truth is more complicated.
In addition to killing bacteria, Ask The Dentist also claims that most mouthwashes also reduce the amount of saliva in your mouth, which is another key component to killing cavities. You need your saliva to support the remineralization process because it reorganizes the oral bacteria that cause decay while also depositing minerals like phosphorus, magnesium, and Vitamin K2 in your teeth.
Fluoride–Should It Be Used Inside Mouthwashes or Drinking Water?
The topic of fluoride is confusing and everyone seems to have a very strong opinion about it. Especially after May of 2020 when agroup of 25 scientists published a meta-analysison all the studies that have been done on fluoride thus far. The scientists stated very clearly that “fluoride is a human developmental neurotoxicant that reduces measures of intelligence in children, placing it into the same category as toxic metals (lead, methylmercury, arsenic) and polychlorinated biphenyls.”
Prior to that, in 2019,a group of 512 Canadian pregnant mothers and their children were studiedand IQ tests were taken of the children at 3 to 4 years of age. The tests demonstrated that levels of fluoride present in drinking water had potentially robbed the children of 3 to 4 IQ points.These findings indicate the need to reduce fluoride intake during pregnancy.
The evidence of fluorinated drinking water stealing IQ points from American children continues to mount. However, every time a new study comes out, it seems as ifthe American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) doubles down on their support of fluoridein drinking water, toothpaste, and in dental treatments as a way to safeguard children from cavities. Our advisors do not believe that fluoride in drinking water is wise. However, their opinion of fluoride in toothpaste and dental treatments is positive. This idea in general is incredibly controversial in the scientific and medical world. As explained in the video below, the AAP is trading several IQ points for essentially ONE cavity.
What the Experts on Hormone Disruption in Children Say About Mouthwashes & Fluoride
So should you use a minty flavor of fluoride toothpaste or mouthwash or not? Well, it’s complicated. It’s a totally different exposure level, so we had questions.
We reached out toDr. Leo Trasande,Director of Environmental Pediatrics at the New York University Grossman School of Medicine, and one of our pediatric advisors. Dr. Trasande has been very active in warning parents about the problems behind hormone-disrupting chemicals. In his book,Sicker, Fatter, PoorerTrasande reveals the alarming truth about hormone-disrupting chemicals effect on our daily lives–and what we can do to protect ourselves and fight back. Because of his unique position with one foot in the medical world and one foot in the activist world, we felt he was uniquely positioned to advise us on this issue.
His response may be surprising for some of us, but it is logical and makes sense. Protecting children from the perils of cavities, which can result in the creation of other chronic diseases down the road, he supports the use of fluoride in toothpaste and dental treatments like mouthwash. However, he believes using fluoride in water is another issue that can be problematic because it’s ingested. In terms of mouthwash, you are spitting most of it out and getting very little exposure. This is where he says that fluoride has a legitimate use in toothpaste and mouthwash as a chemical that can prevent worse things down the road.
We also reached out toDr. Bruce Lanphear, MD, MPH, who’s a Clinician Scientist and Medical Doctor at the Child & Family Research Institute, BC Children’s Hospital. He’s also a Professor in the Faculty of Health Sciences at Simon Fraser University in Vancouver, British Columbia and is well versed on the perils of fluoride and children. In fact, he wascalled as a witness to testify at the TSCA fluoride trial against the EPA and continues to be an expert on fluoride and exposure to children. He had a very similar take on fluoride in toothpaste as Dr. Leo Trasande and felt it was problematic in water, but not so problematic in toothpaste & mouthwash. The reasoning behind that is it’s more of a nuanced issue and the exposure levels are just nowhere as high as you would find in things like drinking water.
Bottom line: both of them seemed to think that fluoride as an active ingredient was not as much of a problem in mouthwash as it is in drinking water.
So for the purposes of this investigation, we’ve looked at the other ingredients and clearly marked the products with fluoride for you so you can decide.
Problematic Ingredients to Avoid in Mouthwashes For Healthy Oral Microbiome
Some of the ingredients listed below are linked to killing bacteria indiscriminately in your mouth, which means they will kill bad bacteria plus the good bacteria you need to support a healthy oral microbiome. This list also contains ingredients made from petroleum and other ingredients linked to hormone disruption, allergic reactions, sores, or cancer.
- Alcohol
- Parabens
- Polysorbates
- Artificial colors
- PEGs (polyethylene glycol)
- Natural Flavors
- Chlorine Dioxide
- Propylene glycol
- Sodium hydroxide
- Chlorhexidine
- Poloxamer 407
- Cocamidopropyl Betaine
- Sodium Benzoate
- Potassium Sorbate
Mamavation’s Investigation of Mouthwashes
Mamavation evaluated over 100+ different mouthwashes for ingredients linked to hormone disruption, allergic reactions, cancer, other types of human health problems, and environmental concern.
Not Our Favorite Mouthwashes
These mouthwashes contain one or more of the following: Parabens, polysorbates, artificial colors, PEGs & alcohol.
- Act Zero Alcohol Anti Cavity Fluoride Mouthwash
- Act Kids Anticavity Fluoride Rinse Watermelon
- Act Restoring Fluoride Mouthwash
- ARC After Whitening Fluoride Rinse
- Biotene Moisturizing Dry Mouth Oral Rinse Mouthwash, Fresh Mint
- Cepacol Antibacterial Multi-Protection Mouthwash, Reduce Plaque and Freshen Breath
- Colgate Total Gum Health Mouthwash
- Crest Pro-Health Multi-Protection CPC Antigingivitis/Antiplaque Mouthwash Clean Mint
- Crest Scope Classic Mouthwash Original Formula
- Crest Mystic for Kids Strawberry (Alcohol Free, Gluten-Free, SLS-Free)
- Crest Pro-Health Advanced with Extra Deep Clean Mouthwash Clean Mint
- Desert Essence Neem Mouthwash Cinnamint
- Desert Essence Tea Tree Oil Mouthwash Spearmint
- Dr. Schulze’s Daily Oral Therapy
- Dr. Tichenor’s Peppermint Mouthwash, All Natural, Concentrate
- Eco-Dent Sparkling Clean Mint Daily Rinse
- Equate Multi-Action Antiseptic Alcohol Free Mouthwash, Zesty Mint
- GUM PerioShield Oral Health Rinse
- Hello Super Fresh + Moisturizing Spearmint Mouthwash
- Hello Naturally Healthy Antigingivitis Mouthwash Natural Mint
- Hello Naturally Fresh Antiseptic Mouthwash Natural Fresh Mint
- Jason Healthy Mouth Tartar Control Mouthwash
- Jason Sea Fresh Spearmint Mouthwash
- Jason Power Smile Brightening Peppermint Mouthwash
- Jason Total Protection Sea Salt Mouth Rinse Cool Mint
- Listerine Original Antiseptic
- Listerine Smart Rinse Kids Fluoride Berry Splash
- Listerine Ultraclean Arctic Mint Zero Alcohol Mouthwash
- Listerine Gum Therapy Mouthwash Glacier Mint
- Listerine Naturals Enamel Repair Herbal Mint Mouthwash
- Listerine Naturals Fluoride-Free Antiseptic Mouthwash
- Listerine Smart Rinse Kids Fluoride Bubble Blast
- Mild By Nature Mild Mint Fresh Breath Oral Rinse (Gluten-Free)
- Moon Alcohol-Free Charcoal Whitening Mouth Rinse Fluoride Free
- NutriBiotic Mouth Fresh Mouthwash Peppermint
- Orajel Antiseptic Rinse Soothing Mint
- Oxyfresh Fresh Breath Lemon Mint Mouthwash
- Plax Dental Rinse Soft Mint
- Polident Propartial Step 3 Protect Antibacterial Fluoride Mouthwash
- quip Mint Anticavity Fluoride Mouthwash
- RiseWell Balancing Mouthwash
- Sensodyne® Pronamel® Daily Protection Fluoride Rinse
- Smart Mouth Clinical DDS Activated Oral Rinse Prescription Strength
- Smart Mouth The Original Activated Dual Solution Breath Rinse
- Solimo Antiseptic Mouthwash Blue Mint
- Solimo Dry Mouth Oral Rinse
- The Natural Dentist Healthy Gums Antigingivitis Antiplaque Rinse Peppermint Twist
- TheraBreath Fresh Breath Oral Rinse Wild Mint
- TheraBreath Healthy Gums Oral Rinse Clean Mint
- TheraBreath Healthy Smile Oral Rinse Sparkle Mint
- Thrive Market Oral Rinse Strong Cool Mint Fluoride-Free
- Up & Up Antiseptic Mouthwash Blue Mint
- Up & Up Anticavity Alcohol-Free Fluoride Mouth Rinse
- Up & Up Kids Anticavity Fluoride Rinse Bubblegum Flavor
- Up & Up Mouthwash Green Mint
- Up & Up Antiseptic Mouthwash Original
Better Mouthwashes
These mouthwashes can contain one or more of the following: Natural Flavors, propylene glycol, sodium hydroxide, poloxamer 407, or other bacteria-killing preservatives like sodium benzoate or potassium sorbate.
- After69 Lavendermint Oral Rinse
- Blisque Organic Mouthwash Original Herbal Mint (Gluten-Free)
- CloSYS Ultra Sensitive Mouthwash, Unflavored
- Colgate Zero Fresh Breath Alcohol-Free
- Dr. Ginger’s Coconut Mint Mouthwash
- Gly-Oxide Liquid Antiseptic Oral Cleanser
- Hello Kids Natural Watermelon Fluoride-Free Rinse
- Hello Kids Fluoride Rinse No Alcohol Wild Strawberry* (contains fluoride)
- Listerine Sensitivity Alcohol-Free Mouthwash in Fresh Mint
- NFco Natural Mouthwash
- Schmidt’s Coconut + Aloe Mouthwash
- Schmidt’s Plant-Powered Mouthwash Wondermint
- Spry Healing Blend Herbal Mint Mouth Wash
- Spry Oral Rinse Spearmint
- Swish By Colgate Invigorating Mint Mouthwash
- Swish by Colgate Refreshing Mint Mouthwash – Fluoride Free and Alcohol-Free
- The Natural Dentist Healthy Balance Mouth Rinse
- The Natural Dentist Healthy Gums Mouth Wash, Orange Zest
- TheraNeem Naturals Mouthwash Herbal Mint (Gluten-Free)
- Tom’s of Maine Whole Care Mouthwash* (contains fluoride)
- Tom’s of Maine Natural Wicked Fresh! Mouthwash, Cool Mountain Mint
- Tom’s of Maine Silly Strawberry Children’s Fluoride Rinse* (contains fluoride)
- Trace Minerals Research, ConcenTrace Mineral Mouth Rinse, Mint (Gluten-Free)
- Uncle Harry’s Miracle Mouthwash (Gluten-Free)
Best Mouthwashes
These mouthwashes contain none of the ingredients that were warned about in this report. We can gladly recommend any of these brands to your family.
- Auromere Ayurvedic Mouthwash (Gluten-free)
- Body Food Mouth Rinse
- Dental Herb Company Tooth & Gums Tonic
- Dr. Brite Mint Mouthwash with Activated Charcoal (Gluten-Free)
- Dr. Brite Wildberry Mouthwash with Activated Charcoal & Vitamin C
- Essential Oxygen BR Rinse Organic Mouthwash Peppermint
- Geoorganics Mouthwash Tablets, Spearmint
- Lumineux Oral Essentials Mouthwash
- Mild By Nature Fresh Mint Mouthwash
- My Magic Mud Activated Charcoal Alcohol-Free Oral Rinse Cinnamon
- My Magic Mud Fresh Breath Oral Rinse Classic Mint
- Nature’s Answer PerioBrite Natural Mouthwash Cinnamint (Gluten-Free)
- Nature’s Answer PerioBrite Natural Mouthwash Wintermint (Gluten-Free)
- Nature’s Answer Essential Oil Mouthwash Vanilla Mint (Gluten-Free)
- Nature’s Brands Organic Mouthwash (Gluten-Free)
- Now Solutions Xyli-White Mouthwash, Fluoride-Free, Refreshmint (Gluten-Free)
- OLAS Marine Bio-Active Mouthrinse
- OraWellness HealThy Mound Blend Original Formula (Gluten-Free)
- OraWellness HealThy Mound Blend Nut-Free Formula (Gluten-Free)
- PerioSciences AO ProRinse Natural Mouthwash
- Tea Tree Therapy Mouthwash Natural Fresh Flavor
- TheraBreath for Kids Oral Rinse Gorilla Grape* (contains fluoride) (Gluten-Free)
- Tri-Ology Restoring Rinse Cool Mint
