Best Whitening Mouthwash (Full Review)
Dentist Tested and Reviewed
Most mouthwashes you find at the store seek to reduce the microbial load in your mouth.
However, other oral rinses treat various issues, including dry mouth, oral fungus, halitosis-stained teeth, and oral pain.
Today, you can find the most whitening mouthwash ingredients with varying concentrations. But what is the best whitening mouthwash?
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 Whitening Mouthwash from a dentist’s perspective.
Buying Guide
- Best Overall: Crest 3D White Brilliance
- Best Extended Whitening: ACT Whitening Anticavity Fluoride
- Best Budget: Amazon Basics Whitening Anticavity
- Best Anticavity: Listerine Healthy White Vibrant
- Best Flavor: Colgate Optic White Advanced Whitening
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 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? Do they desire unrealistic expectations?
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1. Best Overall | Crest 3D White Brilliance
Crest 3D White Brilliance Hydrogen Peroxide, 4% Toothpaste, features advanced whitening formula and is Crest's highest level of hydrogen peroxide toothpaste.
This revitalizing formula nourishes enamel with fluoride and deeply penetrates surface stains with foaming action.
Dentist Review
Pros
Crest has excelled in the whitening space, and this product is no different. It was most effective at removing surface stains and most comfortable to swish because it’s peroxide-free.
Also, the clean mint flavor was satisfying. There was no taste alteration or dryness after spitting.
Cons
This product contains sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), which can irritate people with sensitive gums. Also, sodium fluoride is not included in this product for cavity control.
Highlights
- A whiter smile in just 7 days
- Multi-care whitening mouthwash
- Alcohol-free
- Hydrogen peroxide free
- Clean mint flavor
Results
Best for patients that desire effective whitening with no dryness or foaming.
2. Best Extended Whitening | ACT Whitening Anticavity Fluoride
Care for your teeth and get a brighter smile with ACT Whitening + Anticavity Fluoride Mouthwash.
This alcohol-free mouthwash helps you go beyond brushing and flossing by strengthening teeth for superior cavity protection and freshening breath with a Gentle Mint flavor.
ACT Whitening + Anticavity Fluoride Mouthwash is formulated to help whiten teeth with no dyes and no alcohol. In fact, you can enjoy a whiter smile in just four days* when you rinse with ACT Whitening Mouthwash.
Best of all, this fluoride mouthwash kills bad breath germs.
Dentist Review
Pros
This product has a fantastic taste and is comfortable to swish between teeth. Hydrogen peroxide is a whitening agent which provides a soothing foaming sensation.
Due to the absence of alcohol, there was no dryness after rinsing. After four days of use, we observed a whiter smile.
This product benefits from the inclusion of fluoride, which strengthens the enamel and protects teeth from tooth decay.
Cons
Although this product has no alcohol, there was slight burning when swishing, which was eliminated upon spitting out the rinse.
Also, some people may find the foaming sensation uncomfortable, and subtle taste alteration was observed.
Highlights
- A whiter smile in just 4 days
- Sodium fluoride 0.02%
- Alcohol-free and dye-free
- Helps remove surface stains
- Gentle mint flavor freshens breath
Results
Best for patients that desire cavity protection with whitening effectiveness.
3. Best Budget | Amazon Basics Whitening Anticavity
Amazon Basics Whitening Mouthwash is an alcohol-free formula, which offers a clean mint flavor to freshen your breath. Recommended for use morning and night, it can contribute to better oral hygiene.
If you're a fan of Crest 3D White, you might be interested in giving Amazon Basics Whitening Mouthwash a try.
Dentist Review
Pros
This product has a refreshing taste and is comfortable to swish. It contains fluoride for cavity protection and peroxide to remove surface stains.
The peroxide foam was comfortable, and no taste alteration was observed. Whitening was observed; however, not as noticeable as ACT Whitening Mouthwash or Crest 3D White Brilliance.
Cons
There was slight burning during the first 20 seconds of swishing; however, it subsided. Also, this product contains alcohol, so mouth dryness was observed after rinsing.
Highlights
- Removes surface stains from teeth
- Sodium fluoride 0.02%
- Whitening anticavity mouthwash
- Fresh mint flavor
Results
Best for patients that desire powerful mint flavor and fluoride protection.
4. Best Anticavity | Listerine Healthy White Vibrant
Listerine Healthy White Vibrant Multi-Action Fluoride Anticavity Mouthwash is a mouth rinse with extra teeth whitening power that starts to work on contact for a brighter smile in 5 days*.
This teeth-whitening mouthwash with sodium fluoride also helps prevent cavities. With dynamic foaming action, the daily oral rinse works to effectively whiten teeth, even in hard-to-reach places, without damaging enamel.
Designed to be used as part of a regular oral care routine twice each day, the refreshing Clean Mint-flavored mouthwash also kills the germs that cause bad breath. *Individual results may vary.
Dentist Review
Pros
Listerine developed a great whitening rinse that had the best overall flavor. It was comfortable to swish with a foaming sensation during and after rinsing.
Also, it was very effective at removing stains and whitening teeth.
Cons
While rinsing, slight tingling and burning were observed. Also, because of the alcohol, mouth dryness and a subtle taste alteration were present.
Highlights
- A whiter smile in just 5 days
- Sodium fluoride 0.02%
- Starts to work on contact
- Clean mint flavor
Results
Best for patients that desire cavity protection and whitening effects.
5. Best Flavor | Colgate Optic White Advanced Whitening
Finishing touch to a whiter smile.
Effectively whitens teeth (by removing surface stains) and freshens breath. Helps protect against future stains. Reaches hard-to-brush areas. Kills bad-breath germs.
Enamel safe. Dynamic foaming action reaches hard-to-brush places, helping to whiten teeth and freshen breath. Made in USA
Dentist Review
Pros
Colgate Optic White features exceptional flavor and effectiveness. I was impressed with how quickly it whitened my teeth.
Cons
Although the flavor was great, there was slight tingling and burning observed while rinsing.
Highlights
- Kills bad breath
- Alcohol-free
- Starts to work on contact
- Icy fresh month flavor
Results
Best for patients that desire a fresh falvor.
Overall Champion | Crest 3D White Brilliance
Crest, the maker of Whitestrips, brings you 3D White Brilliance Mouthwash.
Discover a whitening mouthwash with an advanced whitening experience that is peroxide and alcohol-free.
Crest 3D White Brilliance will whiten your teeth in just 7 days* guaranteed (If you're not satisfied with your results, Crest 3D White will refund your purchase.
Final Thoughts
Crest has dominated the oral care whitening space and continues to produce effective products.
Crest 3D White Brilliance captured a perfect score (and crowned best whitening mouthwash) because of its whitening effectiveness and minimal side effects. It had a refreshing flavor and no dryness or peroxide foaming.
As mentioned above, a few concerns are the lack of sodium fluoride for cavity protection and sodium lauryl sulfate, that may irritate sensitive gums.
Overall, this product is well-equipped to give you an advanced whitening experience with a peroxide-free taste.
ACT Whitening Anticavity Fluoride Mouthwash is recommended if cavity protection is desired with whitening effectiveness.
Final Rankings
- Crest 3D White Brilliance Mouthwash 20/20
- ACT Whitening Anticavity Fluoride Mouthwash 19/20
- Listerine Healthy White Vibrant Mouthwash 19/20
- Colgate Optic White Advanced Whitening Mouthwash 17/20
- Amazon Basics Whitening Anticavity Mouthwash 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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