Best Pain Relief Oral Rinse (Full Review)

Dentist Tested and Reviewed

Matt Hannan, DDS
Updated: June 7, 2024

While most oral pain needs to be assessed and treated by your clinician, you can get some pain relief with over-the-counter rinses.

In addition, oral pain has an increased effect on our mood, thoughts, and actions.

As an experienced dentist with years of experience, I’ve tested and evaluated 300+ dental products. I strive to find the best products for achieving excellent oral hygiene, so let’s take a closer look at the Best Pain Relief Mouthwash from a dentist’s perspective.

Buying Guide

1. Best Overall: Colgate Peroxyl Mouth Sore Rinse
2. Best Sensitivity: Oral-B Mouth Sore Oral Rinse
3. Best Antiseptic: Orajel Mouth Sores Antiseptic Rinse
4. Best Travel-Ready: Gly-Oxide Antiseptic Oral Cleanser

Oral Pain Causes

• Mouth burns
• Accidental injury
• Minor dental procedures
• Canker sores
• Irritations
• Cheek bites
• Braces and dentures irritation

Evaluation Criteria

I (Dr. Hannan) tested each product for 7-14 days, detailing its pros and cons, and rated it from 1 to 5 in four key areas.

• Effectiveness: Does the oral rinse 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: Is the product likeable and enjoyable to use? Are you able to use it as directed?

Related Reviews

• Best Mouth Sore Products Review 2024
• Best Denture Care Products Review 2024
• Best Bad Breath Mouthwash Review 2024
• Best Dental Floss Review 2024

1. Best Overall | Colgate Peroxyl Mouth Sore

Best Overall

Colgate Peroxyl Antiseptic Mouthwash

$11.49 $10.12

Colgate seeks to develop products that promote healthy smiles.

They’ve been in the oral health care industry for over 145 years and offer various oral care products. Sustainability is also important to them as they recently created a first-of-its-kind recyclable toothpaste tube.

In addition, they strive to be an accessible company that offers many educational resources to the public and dental professionals. Peroxyl Mouth Sore Rinse is formulated with 1.5% hydrogen peroxide to cleanse and promote the healing of minor oral wounds.

Buy Now

We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

12/08/2024 01:06 am GMT

Best for patients that desire effective pain relief and fresh breath.

Dentist Review

Peroxyl mild mint offers the best mild mint flavor. It’s comfortable to swish and provides a slight numbing effect on the oral tissue.

It provides effective pain relief as well.

It has slightly less cooling effect than others and less foam for those who may have trouble tolerating that.

Cons

Upon rinsing, a slightly bitter aftertaste seemed to subside soon after.

2. Best Sensitivity | Oral-B Mouth Sore

Scientifically Formulated

Oral-B Mouth Sore Mouthwash

$8.12

The Oral-B Special Care Rinse Collection is crafted to meet your unique oral care needs.

Oral-B Mouth Sore Special Care Mouthwash is formulated to fight against Canker Sores, Cheek Bites, Braces & Denture irritations, Oral & Gum Irritations. No added: Alcohol, Artificial Dyes, Parabens, Gluten, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS).

Buy Now

We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

12/08/2024 01:40 am GMT

Best for patients with sensitive gums and who desire cooling pain relief.

Dentist Review

Oral-B’s Special Care Rinse Collection has done an excellent job of eliminating undesirable ingredients, including parabens, artificial dyes, sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and gluten.

The soothing mint flavor has just the right amount to freshen your breath without being overpowering.

It was effective at relieving oral pain and was comfortable to swish and rinse.

The hydrogen peroxide provided a pleasant foaming sensation that transitioned to a lasting cooling effect. It’s a likable mouth sore relief rinse.

Cons

Some people may desire more flavor than what’s offered.

Also, the peroxide foaming sensation is unique and may not be tolerated by everyone.

3. Best Antiseptic | Orajel Mouth Sores Antiseptic

Best Antiseptic

Orajel Antiseptic Mouth Sore Rinse

$26.49

Orajel Antiseptic Mouth Sore Rinse is specifically formulated to kill bacteria and promote healing of canker sores, gum irritation, cheek bites, and denture irritation.

The unique formula offers powerful cleansing in an effervescent, mint-flavored rinse.

Buy Now

We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

12/08/2024 01:22 am GMT

Best for patients that desire an antiseptic rinse with pain relief.

Dentist Review

Orajel offers pain relief and kills bacteria which is beneficial for an oral rinse.

In addition, the soothing mint flavor is robust and freshens breath for many hours.

Hydrogen peroxide foaming is comfortable and tolerable. Also, it relieves oral pain because of a pronounced cooling effect.

Cons

Menthol is slightly bitter and seems to have a unique aftertaste.

Also, the flavor may be overpowering for some individuals. Lastly, there was minimal stinging and burning noted as well.

4. Best Travel-Ready | Gly-Oxide Antiseptic

Best Travel-Ready

Gly-Oxide Liquid Antiseptic Oral Cleanser

This product is unique because it can be directly applied to a localized sore or dispensed on the tongue (10-20 drops) to swish and rinse.

Carbamide peroxide 10% is the active ingredient that offers effective foaming action.

Buy Now

We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

Best for patients that desire a travel-size liquid rinse.

Dentist Review

Gly-Oxide offers pain relief with antiseptic benefits and excellent foaming action that seems to increase when rinsing.

Comfortable to swish with no burning or stinging.

The mint flavor is mild and tolerable. Moderate pain was relieved while eliminating breath odor.

Cons

More challenging to apply as it requires counting 10-20 drops onto the tongue: slight bitterness and taste alteration upon rinsing.

Overall Champion | Colgate Peroxyl Mouth Sore Rinse*

Best Overall

Colgate Peroxyl Antiseptic Mouthwash

$11.49 $10.12

Colgate seeks to develop products that promote healthy smiles.

They’ve been in the oral health care industry for over 145 years and offer various oral care products. Sustainability is also important to them as they recently created a first-of-its-kind recyclable toothpaste tube.

In addition, they strive to be an accessible company that offers many educational resources to the public and dental professionals. Peroxyl Mouth Sore Rinse is formulated with 1.5% hydrogen peroxide to cleanse and promote the healing of minor oral wounds.

Buy Now

We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

12/08/2024 01:06 am GMT

Final Thoughts

All four products are exceptional in their own way.

Orajel offers pain relief with antiseptic qualities.

Gly-Oxide can be applied directly or used as an oral rinse with a packable container.

Oral-B provides effective pain relief for sensitive gums and Colgate promotes healing while cleansing minor oral wounds.

When it was all said and done, Colgate Peroxyl Mouth Sore Rinse edged out Oral-B Mouth Sore Oral Rinse to claim the top spot.

Peroxyl’s 1.5% hydrogen peroxide was comfortable swishing, and the mild mint flavor provided hours of fresh breath. Most importantly, it was effective at relieving oral pain.

Final Rankings

1. Colgate Peroxyl Mouth Sore Rinse 20/20
2. Oral-B Mouth Sore Oral Rinse 19/20
3. Gly-Oxide Antiseptic Oral Cleanser 18/20
4. Orajel Mouth Sores Antiseptic Rinse 17/20

* 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!