Best Type of Mouthwash for Bad Breath - Why You Should Stick to an Alcohol Free Mouthwash

Halitosis or bad breath is in fact a very common condition: it can be temporary (e.g: morning breath) or a chronic condition (for instance, it can be caused by periodontal disease or recurrent sinus infections).

One of the most important things to understand when attempting to find a durable cure for chronic halitosis is that it is not quite the same thing to treat the symptoms than to tackle the root of the problem. Using a mouthwash to treat the symptoms only is never going to lead to a permanent halitosis cure.

Mouthwashes (and other traditional bad breath remedies such as chewing gums or sprays) will not, in general, on their own, be able to treat the root of a bad breath problem. Having said that, there are indeed a handful of brands of mouthwash which are a lot better than others. They can be a good aid to treat halitosis provided the root of the problem is addressed first and provided there is good oral hygiene: adequately brushing (teeth and tongue) and flossing after meals AND regular professional cleanings by a dental hygienist.

So what is the root of the problem then? Well, it is actually very common to have to deal with multiple halitosis causes, and so it is vital that all of them are identified and tackled individually. A first step is to go and see the dentist to check for infections and have them treated (e.g. a partially erupted / impacted wisdom tooth can be a nest of bacteria and cause extreme bad breath. Usually extraction is the only way forward).

Other contributing factors can be a tendency to get a dry mouth (xerostomia) or post-nasal drip caused by sinus infections or allergies. Once all the factors have been identified and treated accordingly, the use of a good mouthwash can help a lot to keep halitosis at bay. Using a mouthwash before treating the root of the halitosis problem will only "mask" the bad breath temporarily, if you are lucky.

After using Listerine*:

Does you mouth burn like hell? Does it feel very dry after a few minutes? Does your breath stink just as bad in no time?

Well, look no further than the back of the Listerine bottle: it contains 26.9 per cent alcohol. Doesn't that sound a bit scary??

But - you may wonder - doesn't alcohol kill all the germs?

Nope! Listerine uses alcohol to help dissolve its essential oils, but alcohol is not its active ingredient at all. In fact, alcohol dries your mouth (even drier if you already suffer from dry mouth!) which means your saliva flow is reduced, and hence the naturally-occurring bacteria and food debris will not be effectively washed away.

Bacteria will, in all respects, be given a wonderful environment in which to thrive! These higher than normal amounts of bacteria will produce higher than normal volatile sulfur compounds and so what will happen is that this process will exacerbate any existing bad breath problem. Brilliant - so instead of helping with bad breath, we are making the problem worse !!

The so called century-old Listerine formula is just that: a little bit outdated. They claim it helps reduce plaque and treat gingivitis. But in fact, it is not the alcohol that can achieve that, but other active ingredients, so why waste money on a product that will make your halitosis worse?

Another important thing to bear in mind is that there are a few scientific experiments that have shown a striking relationship between the use of alcohol-based mouthwashes and oral cancer. That alone should be enough reason for you to switch to an alcohol-free mouthwash right now.

*This applies to any other over-the-counter alcohol based mouthwashes.

There are a few good brands of alcohol free mouthwash out there that are good at keeping bad breath at bay. I have found a few that work very well for me and would have no hesitation to recommend. Take a look below to find out more !

As long as you brush your teeth and tongue, and floss after every meal.

As long as you visit a dental hygienist or periodontist regularly.

As long as any oral infections have been treated by a dentist / periodontist.

And as long as you have identified and tackled any other factors contributing to your halitosis.

Yes, there is a best type of mouthwash to help cure halitosis: an alcohol free mouthwash !

I have recommended my favourites on this page but, ultimately, only you can decide the one that works best for you.

Above all, remember the most important thing: if you suffer from bad breath, stay well away from alcohol based mouthwashes!