Top 5 Best Whitening Mouthwash Review 2023
Dentist Tested and Reviewed | Time to Read: 12 mins
By: Dr. Advocate
Updated: March 1, 2023
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. Therefore, whitening oral care products are a priority for most consumers. In addition, advances in the formulation have produced safe and effective whitening toothpaste, strips, and mouthwash.
Today, you can find the most whitening mouthwash ingredients with varying concentrations. For example, some brands use hydrogen peroxide as the whitening agent, while others use sodium hexametaphosphate. Also, sodium fluoride is included in some but not others. You’re bound to find a whitening mouthwash that fits your oral needs with varying combinations and formulations. Let’s look at the Top 5 Best Whitening Mouthwashes to see how they compare from a dentist’s perspective.
Tested and Reviewed
- Best Overall: Crest 3D White Brilliance Mouthwash
- Best Extended Whitening: ACT Whitening Anticavity Fluoride Mouthwash
- Best Budget: Amazon Basics Whitening Anticavity Mouthwash
- Best Anticavity: Listerine Healthy White Vibrant Mouthwash
- Best Flavor: Colgate Optic White Advanced Whitening Mouthwash
Evaluation Criteria
We highlight each product’s unique, advertised benefits, identify their pros and cons and score each one from 1 to 5 based on four categories. The oral rinse with the highest score is crowned the overall champion; however, we’ll also give suggested patient benefits for each product. Prices listed are subject to change and discussed in each review, however they were not considered within the scoring criteria..
- 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. Crest 3D White Brilliance Mouthwash
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. See details on pack)*with brushing by removing surface stains.
Highlights
- Whiter smile in just 7 days
- Multi-care whitening mouthwash
- Alcohol-free
- Hydrogen peroxide free
- Clean mint flavor
Results
Effectiveness: ⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑
Comfort: ⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑
Taste: ⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑
Likeability: ⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑
Total: 20/20
Best for patients that desire effective whitening with no dryness or foaming.
Directions
- Specifically for adults and children over 6 years old
- Use 20 mL rinse for 60 seconds, then spit out
- Use morning and night
- Do not swallow
What we like
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.
What we don’t
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.
2. ACT Whitening Anticavity Fluoride Mouthwash
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.
Highlights
- Whiter smile in just 4 days
- Sodium fluoride 0.02%
- Alcohol-free and dye free
- Gentle mint flavoring freshens breath
- Helps remove surface stains
- Strengthens enamel and protects teeth
- Kills bad breath germs
Results
Effectiveness: ⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑
Comfort: ⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑
Taste: ⭑⭑⭑⭑⭒
Likeability: ⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑
Total: 19/20
Best for patients that desire cavity protection with whitening effectiveness.
Directions
- Specifically for adults and children over 12 years old
- Use twice daily after brushing teeth with toothpaste
- Swish 10 mL for 1 minute and then spit out
- Do not swallow rinse
- Do not eat or drink for 30 minutes after rinsing
What we like
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. A benefit to this product is the inclusion of fluoride to strengthen the enamel and protect teeth from tooth decay.
What we don’t
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.
3. Amazon Basics Whitening Anticavity Mouthwash
-Four 32-fluid ounce bottles of whitening mouthwash
-Removes surface stains from teeth
-Alcohol Free
-Clean mint flavor
-Use morning and night for better oral hygiene
-If you like Crest 3D White, we invite you to try Amazon Basics Whitening Mouthwash
-Alexa voice shopping enabled: to place your next order, just say, “Alexa, reorder Amazon Basics Mouthwash"
Highlights
- Removes surface stains from teeth
- Fresh mint flavor
- Sodium fluoride 0.02%
- Whitening anticavity mouthwash
Results
Effectiveness: ⭑⭑⭑⭑⭒
Comfort: ⭑⭑⭑⭒⭒
Taste: ⭑⭑⭑⭑⭒
Likeability: ⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑
Total: 16/20
Best for patients that desire powerful mint flavor and fluoride protection.
Directions
- Specifically for adults and children over 6 years old
- Use twice daily after brushing teeth with toothpaste
- Swish with 10 mL for 60 seconds and then spit out
- Do not swallow the rinse
- Do not eat or drink for 30 minutes after rinsing
What we like
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.
What we don’t
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.
4. Listerine Healthy White Vibrant Mouthwash
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.
Highlights
- Whiter smile in just 5 days
- Sodium fluoride 0.02%
- Starts to work on contact
- Clean mint flavor
Results
Effectiveness: ⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑
Comfort: ⭑⭑⭑⭑⭒
Taste: ⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑
Likeability: ⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑
Total: 19/20
Best for patients that desire cavity protection and whitening effects.
Directions
- Specifically for adults and children over 12 years old
- Use twice daily after brushing teeth with toothpaste
- Swish 10 mL for 60 seconds then spit out
- Do not swallow
- Do not eat or drink for 30 minutes after rinsing
What we like
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.
What we don’t
There was slight tingling and burning observed while rinsing. Also, because of the alcohol, there was mouth dryness and subtle taste alteration.
5. Colgate Optic White Advanced Whitening Mouthwash
-High Impact White Teeth Whitening Formula
-Effective Hydrogen Peroxide Whitening Formula
-Actively Whitens Teeth and WhiteSeal Technology Helps to Prevent Future Stains
-Kills Bad Breath Germs and Bacteria
-Alcohol-Free Formula (Does not contain ethanol)
-Icy Mint Flavor
Highlights
- Advanced whitening
- Effective peroxide formula
- Alcohol-free
- Icy fresh mint flavor
- Actively whitens and seals out new stains
- Enamel safe and freshens breath
Results
Effectiveness: ⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑
Comfort: ⭑⭑⭑⭑⭒
Taste: ⭑⭑⭑⭒⭒
Likeability: ⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑
Total: 17/20
Best for patients that desire lasting fresh breath and whitening effectiveness.
Directions
- Specifically for adults and children over 12 years old
- Use 15 mL rinse for 60 seconds then spit out
- Use twice per day
- Do not swallow
What we like
The icy mint flavor provides the most pungent kick and lasting fresh breath. It eliminated morning breath and was very effective at lifting surface stains. There was slight stinging and burning, but it was tolerable when swishing.
What we don’t
Due to the alcohol, there was taste alteration, mouth dryness, and slight bitterness.
Overall Champion: Crest 3D White Brilliance Mouthwash*
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. See details on pack)*with brushing by removing surface stains.
Crest has dominated the oral care whitening space and continues to produce effective products. Crest 3D White Brilliance captured a perfect score because of its whitening effectiveness and minimal side effects. It had a refreshing flavor and no dryness or peroxide foaming. A few concerns, as mentioned above, are the lack of sodium fluoride for cavity protection and the presence of 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
- Solimo Whitening Anticavity Mouthwash 16/20
* My Dental Advocate product reviews are based on individual experience and your results with the products may vary.
The more you know, the more healthy habits you can develop, saving you and your family from avoidable and potentially expensive dental procedures. Talk to your dental professional for more suggestions on improving oral health and check back for more blog posts and relevant information. Please share this site and let us know what else you’d like to know!