Mouth rinses 101

When it comes to controlling plaque and gingivitis (inflammation and redness in your gums), you should choose a rinse that has disinfecting properties. My personal favorite rinse is Listerine®. Here's why:

• ADA-accepted
• Rinse most recommended by dentists and hygienist (myself included)
• Reduces gingivitis in 1 week*
• Trademarked essential oils (Thymol, Eucalyptol, Menthol and Methyl Salicylate) are natural and scientifically proven by science 
• 67% more zinc to reduce tarter build up and plaque formation
• Meta-analysis confirms 1.8x more effective than CPC rinses alone**

Of course, there are other rinses that are very effective in controlling gingivitis. Here are some other brands that offer great disinfectant properties to control inflammation.

Runner Up:

Crest® Deep Cleanse (germ treatment)

While Listerine uses its trademarked essential oils to kill bacteria, there is another ingredient that is widely used and proven to treat gingivitis: Cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC). CPC significantly reduces inflammation by disturbing the formation of plaque biofilm (the fuzzy stuff on your teeth). Crest Deep Cleanse uses this ingredient at 0.1% while all other rinses only offer 0.07%, making it a stronger choice.

Honorable Mention:

Oral B® Detoxify & Parodontax

These two rinses also use CPC as the primary active ingredient at 0.07%. Making it a great choice but there seem to be better options available.

*Meta-analysis was performed by Listerine using a control group: https://www.listerineprofessional.com/the-science-of-listerine/evidence-of-efficacy/product-data/essential-oils-effectiveness-meta-analysis

**A pub-med review in 2007 did not find any significant improvements between essential oils and cetylpyridinium chloride in clinical trials; however, newer products have shown to be slightly (1.8x) more effective than CPC: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17635245/

If you tend to be prone to developing cavities, than incorporating a rinse with enamel repair properties (most likely fluoride) will be essential. Looking into many cavity prevention rinses, I found this one to be the best choice. Here's why:

• Highest concentration of fluoride on the market at 0.05% (sodium fluoride)
• Free from Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), alcohol and parabens
• Trademarked formulation helps re-mineralize enamel while protecting against pH in-balances (neutralizing properties, lowering acidic pH)
• Contains cetylpridinium chloride for disinfection
• #1 dentist recommended product for erosion

This is a great product if you need help keeping teeth strong. There are other products that are great also. 

Runner up(s):

Listerine Total Care

You can never go wrong with essential oils; however, with only 0.02% sodium fluoride there is a better choice. But honestly, you can never go wrong with any Listerine product. I use this product in my clinical practice almost daily. But if you need something stronger it's best to stick with the pronamel.

Crest Pro-Health Advanced (enamel care)

Another great product that uses 0.02% sodium fluoride. Crest Pro-Health also uses 0.1% CPC to add a disinfectant level to its rinse. If you're going to use a rinse, it might as well be doing as much as it can!

Honorable mention: 

Oral-B Cavity Protection

This comes in last only because it does not seem to have any additional benefits like the other rinses mentioned (no disinfectant properties, only fluoride benefit).

Traditionally, whitening products contain hydrogen peroxide to whiten teeth. Comparing several whitening rinses, I found two products to be the best -- Colgate Optic White and Crest 3D Luxe. While it was a narrow victory, Colgate Optic White appears to slightly edge out its competitors:

• Highest concentration of hydrogen peroxide over the counter at 2%
• Alcohol free
• Enamel safe (if you have sensitive teeth, whitening products may not be suitable)
• Prevents extrinsic (outside the tooth) staining from coffee, tea and other colored drinks/foods

Remember, over the counter (OTC) whitening products can only do so much. Most OTC products contain 2% (rinses) to 5% (toothpastes) hydrogen peroxide. These are good for daily use to remove slight stains but do not penetrate deep into the enamel like a whitening strip or professional whitening treatment. Also, it is good to remember that no whitening agents can lighten bridges, implants, crowns or intrinsic (inside the tooth, i.e., tetracycline stain, nerve discoloration) stains. If you want a more dramatic whitening effect, visit your dentist for options and professional treatment.

Runner up:

Crest 3D® Luxe Whitening

Crest 3D is also a great whitening product. It only narrowly comes in second place with 1.5% hydrogen peroxide. Does the extra 0.5% really make a difference? Who knows, but I would rather pay for the slight advantage.

Other options:

ACT® Whitening Rinse

I was unable to find any percentage information on the hydrogen peroxide that is listed in its inactive ingredients. Its active ingredients list 0.02% sodium fluoride, which I like, but should list the percentage of hydrogen peroxide. Therefore, no real comparison can be made.

TheraBreath® Whitening 

This dentist developed rinse does not use hydrogen peroxide at all. Its listed ingredients may make sense to a dentist or scientist, but if I cannot understand the label or its ingredients, I would rather use a different product.