The best liquids for bad breath - TOP 5 ranking in 2025
Take a look at our ranking of the most effective mouthwashes in 2025! Taking care of your oral hygiene is crucial not only for your dental health, but also for your overall freshness of breath and confidence. Bad breath can be problematic and affect our daily relationships. That is why we have selected the best mouthwashes that not only eliminate bacteria and food debris, but also effectively eliminate odour. Our ranking takes into account products that contain antiseptic ingredients such as chlorhexidine or fluoride, which help to fight tooth decay and keep your breath fresh throughout the day. Bad breath can significantly affect our daily lives, so we'll choose the best solution so you can always feel fresh and confident. Keep reading to find out which mouthwash deserved to be the best!
The ranking factors we took into account are:
- Refreshment
- Taste
- Persistence
- Effectiveness
- Price
- Composition
- Effects
What ingredients to look for in good mouthwashes?
Sodium fluoride is an effective ingredient in mouthwashes, helping to prevent tooth decay by strengthening tooth enamel.
Zinc PCA has an antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effect, which helps fight the bacteria responsible for bad breath and gum problems.
Xylitol is a natural sugar substitute that helps prevent tooth decay by inhibiting the growth of decay-causing bacteria in the mouth.
Hydroxyapatite is an ingredient that strengthens tooth enamel, protecting it from decay and reducing sensitivity to acids.
Zinc lactate has antibacterial properties, helping to maintain oral hygiene and prevent the formation of dental deposits.
Provitamin B5, or panthenol, has a soothing and moisturising effect on the oral mucosa, speeding up the healing process of any wounds or irritations.
Theplant extracts of witch hazel, spirulina and calendula have anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and soothing effects, which promote the maintenance of a healthy mouth.
Menthol gives the liquid a refreshing taste and provides a feeling of freshness, also acting as a natural breath freshener.
Take a look at our ranking of the best mouthwashes for bad breath:
Smilebite's Clean & Freshhh mouthwash is a real hit among the products we've tested when putting together today's list. Its highly effective formula not only provides long-lasting breath freshness, but also effectively eliminates bad breath with an antibacterial and protective effect. The unique menthol aroma and the simple but thoughtful composition make daily oral care a real pleasure. The high xylitol content helps fight tooth decay while protecting enamel and gums. This liquid is not only a way to freshen your breath during the day, but also a guarantee of a healthy and radiant smile at every step!
Lacalut Activ mouthwash provides comprehensive support for daily oral care. It effectively prevents the formation of tartar and inflammation of the gums. Despite these advantages, the effect of the feeling of freshness after use is short-lived and the taste is not outstanding in intensity. However, if does not change our opinion that this is a valuable product, especially for those with dentures or braces. In these applications, it performs well and relieves gum inflammation quickly from the start of use, although its limitations are worth considering, especially if you want a long-lasting feeling of freshness and an intense taste.
Listerine Cool Mint mouthwash is a popular product available in most health food shops that intensely freshens the breath. Unfortunately, its effect is not long-lasting and the composition is mainly based on chemical substances. The high alcohol content can cause an unpleasant aftertaste, as well as irritate the gums and dry out the mucous membranes. Although the pack contains as much as 500 ml, some test subjects were unable to use it due to the described side effects. The Listerine product is effective against bad breath - in this respect it is more effective than most products on the list, but its use does not provide protection against tooth decay and inflammation relief.
Another suggestion is Elmex mouthwash, which fights tooth decay and freshens the breath, although it has a mild taste. The composition of Elmex is not as natural as the first item, relying mainly on chemicals. In addition to antibacterial and refreshing ingredients, it also contains fluoride, which protects enamel from decay. After using the liquid, bad breath is no longer a problem, but the effect is not very long-lasting. It is recommended to rinse the mouth for at least one minute, at least twice a day, to achieve the desired results. Despite its availability in most drugstores, the price of this mouthwash, for a product with an average composition, is quite high.
Colgate Plax Tea & Lemon is a mouthwash with a distinct citrus flavour. Although some people appreciated its taste, others felt that the combination of lemon and tea did not suit a product designed for oral care. Although effective in freshening breath, its effect is short-lived, which may not be satisfactory for those looking for a solution to bad breath. Despite its attractive price and performance, the product does not provide any additional benefits for or protection of the teeth. For a long-lasting refreshing effect, consider alternative products.
