Top 5 Best Bad Breath Products Review 2024
Dentist Tested and Reviewed
Bad breath or halitosis is an unpleasant condition that causes embarrassment and frustration for many individuals.
However, did you know that a significant source of bacteria is the tongue and back of the throat?
These areas harbor microbial deposits, bacteria, and debris contributing to bad breath.
There are many causes of bad breath, and addressing the root problem can help reverse this common problem.
As an experienced dentist with years of experience, I’ve tested and evaluated 250+ dental products. I strive to find the best products for achieving excellent oral hygiene, so let’s take a closer look at the Best Bad Breath Products from a dentist’s perspective.
Buying Guide
- Best Overall: TheraBreath Fresh Breath Throat Spray
- Best Bad Breath: Closys Oral Spray
- Best Portability: Listerine Cool Mint Pocketpaks
- Best Travel-Ready: Listerine Cool Mint Pocketmist
- Best Flavor: Crest Scope Breath Mist
Common Causes of Bad Breath
Maintain a healthy mouth by brushing twice daily with fluoride toothpaste, flossing daily, and using an antibacterial mouthwash.
Some studies show that simply brushing the back of your tongue can reduce bad breath measurements by up to 70%.
Common Causes
- Dental issues
- Mouth, nose and throat infections
- Dry mouth
- Smoking and tobacco
- Other chronic conditions
Evaluation Criteria
I test each product for 7-14 days, detailing its pros and cons, and rate it from 1 to 5 in four key areas.
- Effectiveness: Does the mouthwash treat the advertised need? How effective were the results?
- Comfort: Are you able to swish for recommended time? Did it sting or burn? How did the mouth feel afterwards?
- Taste: How was the overall taste? Was it tolerable? Did it alter your sense of taste?
- Likeability: Were the directions clear and simple to understand? Are they desiring unrealistic expectations?
Related Reviews
- Best Bad Breath Mouthwash Review 2024
- Best Tongue Scraper Review 2024
- Best All-Natural Toothpaste Review 2024
- Best Dental Floss Review 2024
1. TheraBreath Fresh Breath Throat Spray (Best Overall)
Dr. Harold Katz created TheraBreath to help his daughter overcome her struggle with bad breath.
Since 1994 they’ve been creating oral care products that treat halitosis, gum disease, tooth decay, stained teeth, immune support, tooth sensitivity, and dry mouth.
TheraBreath is one of the top five largest oral care companies and the largest privately-held manufacturer. TheraBreath Fresh Breath Throat Spray is fortified with green tea, xylitol, aloe vera and starts to fight bad breath instantly.
Highlights
- Instantly targets bad breath germs
- Contains green tea, xylitol and aloe vera
- Advanced formula
- Certified kosher, vegan and gluten-free
- Reaches bacteria in throat and mouth
- Made in USA
Results
Dentist Review
TheraBreath targets the back of the throat with its innovative delivery design and features a reusable cap for easy transport. As indicated, this product works instantly and eliminates odor-causing bacteria at the source.
The green tea mint flavor is perfectly flavored and seeks to cure bad breath, not just mask it. We found this product to be extremely effective and you can use it as often as necessary.
Lastly, it contains xylitol which helps protect against tooth decay.
Best for patients that desire cavity protection with whitening effectiveness.
2. Closys Oral Spray (Best Bad Breath)
In 1980, Dr. Perry Ratcliff founded Closys to replace ineffective and irritating oral rinses.
He formulated an extremely effective yet gentle oral rinse that a small group of dentists praised. Closys Oral Care was born and continues to create high-quality, comfortable oral rinses.
Their products are made in the USA and are free from alcohols, sulfates and triclosan. Closys Oral Spray is a water-based pH balanced, advanced formula that hydrates the mouth, promotes health and eliminates bad breath.
Highlights
- Hydrates tissue
- Water-based pH balanced
- Promotes whole mouth health
- Antimicrobial eliminates bad breath
- Refreshing mint flavor
Results
Dentist Review
Closys Oral Spray features a design that easily coats all surfaces of the mouth and instantly refreshes your breath. The mint flavor is strong but not overpowering.
It provides a cooling effect on the oral tissue and effectively hydrates the mouth. There was slight bitterness noted immediately after use; however it subsided soon after.
Lastly, the mint flavor provided fresh breath for many hours.
Best oral spray to eliminate dry mouth and bad breath.
3. Listerine Cool Mint Pocketpaks (Best Portability)
Refresh your bad breath with Listerine Cool Mint PocketPaks Fresh Breath Strips for bad breath.
These refreshing mint breath strips dissolve instantly, killing 99 percent of germs that cause bad breath.* Conveniently portable to freshen breath on-the-go, slip your pack into your purse or pocket, so you can easily get fresh breath and kill bad breath germs after your morning coffee or before an important meeting or date.
Highlights
- Kills 99% of bad breath germs
- Breath strips
- Cool mint flavor
- Travel pack
Results
Dentist Review
Listerine Cool Mint Pocketpaks were effective at eliminating bad breath and provided a cooling and refreshing effect. The breath strip was highly potent and flavorful.
However, it may be too intense for some individuals. It was tasteful and comfortable in your mouth. The travel pack is convenient and easy to store in a pocket or purse; however, having to grab each strip may be uncomfortable for hygiene purposes.
Best breath strip for lasting fresh breath and portability.
4. Listerine Cool Mint Pocketmist (Best Travel-Ready)
Refresh your bad breath anytime, anywhere with Listerine Pocketmist Cool Mint Oral Care Fresh Breath Mist.
This minty mouth spray kills 99% of germs that cause bad breath* for a clean, fresh breath feeling in your mouth. The breath refresher spray is small enough to fit on your keychain, or in your bag or pocket, so you can get fresh breath anywhere you go.
The sugar-free formula is in a nonaerosol oral spray bottle and has a refreshing Cool Mint flavor. *In laboratory tests.
Highlights
- Kills 99% of bad breath germs
- Oral care mist
- Cool mint flavor
- Sugar-free, no calories
- Non-aerosol
Results
Dentist Review
Listerine Cool Mint Pocketmist provided great effectiveness against bad breath and easily bathed all surfaces of the mouth. The non-aerosol spray was comfortable and featured a strong cool mint flavor for lasting fresh breath.
We noticed slight bitterness and taste alteration; however, they both quickly subsided.
Lastly, we enjoyed this product compared to Pocketpaks because there was no direct contact and potential transmission of germs.
Best breath strip for lasting fresh breath and portability.
5. Crest Scope Breath Mist (Best Flavor)
Keep your mouth fresh any time of the day or night with Crest Scope Long-Lasting Mint Breath Mist.
It has a simple no-cap delivery system, which is designed for easy and effortless one-handed use. The small size allows you to keep it discreetly in your pocket, desk drawer, gym bag or tote. This sugar-free mint mist provides an immediate refreshing sensation with just one spray.
Highlights
- Instantly freshens breath
- Contains Scope
- Long-lasting mint flavor
- Crest clean meets Scope freshness
Results
Dentist Review
Crest Scope Breath Mist is potent and effectively eliminates bad breath. It may be too intense for some individuals but it provides a lasting fresh breath.
The mint flavor was enjoyable and left a comfortable taste on the tongue. Additionally, it will take your breath away as it contains alcohol, a primary ingredient in Scope products.
Lastly, the container is travel-ready and features a twistable spray nozzle.
Best breath mist for instant fresh breath.
Overall Champion: TheraBreath Fresh Breath Throat Spray*
Dr. Harold Katz created TheraBreath to help his daughter overcome her struggle with bad breath.
Since 1994 they’ve been creating oral care products that treat halitosis, gum disease, tooth decay, stained teeth, immune support, tooth sensitivity, and dry mouth.
TheraBreath is one of the top five largest oral care companies and the largest privately-held manufacturer. TheraBreath Fresh Breath Throat Spray is fortified with green tea, xylitol, aloe vera and starts to fight bad breath instantly.
Final Thoughts
TheraBreath Fresh Breath Throat Spray edged out Closys Oral Spray to claim the top spot. Both products were highly effective at targeting bad breath germs with mild flavors rather than masking bad breath with potent flavors.
TheraBreath was slightly more effective in that category and featured a better delivery system as the spray specifically targets the throat area, where many bad breath germs are harbored.
Closys delivery system features a wide-ranging mist that coats all mouth surfaces. Listerine Cool Mint Pocketmist rounded out the top three and featured a similar delivery system as Closys, with a more potent flavor to mask bad breath.
Final Rankings
- TheraBreath Fresh Breath Throat Spray 20/20
- Closys Oral Spray 19/20
- Listerine Cool Mint Pocketmist 18/20
- Crest Scope Breath Mist 18/20
- Listerine Cool Mint Pocketpaks 16/20
* My Dental Advocate product reviews are based on individual experience and your results with the products may vary.
Need a second opinion? We can help! Learn more. Knowledge is power when cultivating healthy dental habits. The more informed you are, the better positioned you'll be to prevent avoidable and potentially costly dental procedures for you and your family. Watch for future blog posts, where we'll continue sharing important information, product reviews and practical advice!
About the Author
Dr. Matthew Hannan, also known as “Dr. Advocate,” is a board-certified dentist on a mission to provide accurate dental patient education. He attended Baylor University before completing dental school at UT Health San Antonio School of Dentistry. He now lives in Arizona with his beautiful wife and 4 kids. Dr. Hannan believes everyone should access easy-to-read dental resources with relevant, up-to-date dental research and insight to improve their oral health.
Connect with Dr. Hannan!
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