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The 13 Best Whitening Mouthwashes to Brighten Your Smile
Gradual teeth whitening in 60 seconds a day.
Byrdie
On the quest for the best products that’ll leave you with a brighter smile? While whitening mouthwashes may not necessarily get the same attention as the uber-popular OTC whitening strips, they can be a great option for several reasons.
“In comparison to other whitening products, mouthwashes are the simplest to use and implement,” explains cosmetic dentist Jennifer Haddad, DDS. Cosmetic dentist Matt Nejad, DDS agrees, adding that they’re especially great for warding off stains between professional cleanings. Translation: You may not get the dramatic whitening you’d get from, say, an in-office whitening treatment, but given that they’re so easy to use and incorporate into your daily routine, it’s worth a swish.
With expert pointers from these dentists in mind, we researched dozens of the most effective whitening mouthwashes currently on the market, evaluating them based on their active ingredients, benefits like cavity prevention, and their ability to erase and prevent teeth stains. Ahead, the best whitening mouthwashes to rinse with.
Top Picks
Crest Whitening Mouthwash at Target$8
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Solimo Whitening Mouthwash at Skinsafeproducts.com
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Colgate Optic White Whitening Mouthwash at Amazon$26
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ACT Anticavity + Whitening Mouthwash at Amazon$7
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Dr. Brite Whitening Mouthwash at Amazon
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Oral Essentials Lumineux Whitening Mouthwash at Amazon$20
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hello Activated Charcoal Mouthwash at Amazon$25
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Essential Organic Brushing Rinse at Amazon$15
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Supersmile Whitening Pre-Rinse at Ulta
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Boka Restore Mouthwash Tablets at Amazon$20$16
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Best Overall
Crest Whitening Mouthwash
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Effective at whitening
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Won’t cause stinging or irritate gums
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Tastes great
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Some reviews didn’t like the taste
Active Ingredients: Hydrogen peroxide | Size: 32 fl. oz | Flavor: Fresh mint
Most whitening mouthwashes usually contain a form of hydrogen peroxide (the same active ingredient found in many other OTC products and professional-strength treatments), and this one is no exception. The triple-action formula whitens teeth, protects against future stains, and kills the germs that cause bad breath. The brand claims you can see results in just two days, and Dr. Haddad, who’s a fan, says it does in fact work fast—even within a week. She also lauds it for being alcohol-free, so you won’t get any of that uncomfortable burning or dryness during or after use.
Best Budget
Solimo Whitening Mouthwash
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Helps remove stains
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Inexpensive
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No strong taste
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Very foamy
Active Ingredients: Hydrogen peroxide | Size: 32 fl. oz | Flavor: Clean mint
“This is a great, low-cost alternative that still contains the same main whitening active ingredient, hydrogen peroxide,” says dentist Lawrence Fung, DDS. It’s Amazon’s in-house brand—hence the super wallet-friendly price—and reviewers comment repeatedly on its whitening effects, particularly on daily stains from things such as coffee.
Best Drugstore
Colgate Optic White Whitening Mouthwash
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Strong formula
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Whitens teeth quickly
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Helps remove stains
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Not the most pleasant taste
Active Ingredients: 2% hydrogen peroxide | Size: 32 fl. oz | Flavor: Icy fresh mint
There’s a fine balance to be struck when it comes to the amount of hydrogen peroxide included in a mouthwash. You want it to be potent enough that it whitens the teeth but not so potent that it might be corrosive or irritating. Dr. Fung says this Colgate mouthwash, which has a 2 percent concentration of hydrogen peroxide (slightly higher than many of its counterparts), works well. It’s also alcohol-free and will work even faster if you pair it with the brand’s Optic White toothpaste, which is also hydrogen peroxide-based.
Best With Fluoride
ACT Anticavity + Whitening Mouthwash
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Helps prevent cavities
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Easy-to-use packaging
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A little goes a long way
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Smaller bottle than other options
Active Ingredients: 0.02% sodium fluoride | Size: 16.9 fl. oz | Flavor: Gentle mint
Both Dr. Fung and Dr. Haddad like this pick because it contains fluoride. “This mouthwash, compared to all others, works in a two-fold manner because it whitens and prevents against cavity formation with fluoride,” explains Dr. Haddad. You only need to use it once a day, and the bottle has a convenient dosing system that lets you squirt out just the right amount.
Best for Sensitive Gums
Dr. Brite Whitening Mouthwash
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Contains vitamin C
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Doesn’t irritate gums
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Doesn’t cause tooth sensitivity
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Made with organic ingredients
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Not a dramatic whitening effect
Active Ingredients: Vitamin C, activated charcoal | Size: 8 / 16 fl. oz | Flavor: Mint
If your gums are sensitive, avoid products with hydrogen peroxide and try picking a more plant-based mouthwash instead. “The perk of this natural mouthwash is that it incorporates vitamin C to help soothe and nourish the gums,” says Dr. Haddad. “It also has an excellent flavor that most tend to rave about,” she adds. It’s alcohol-free as well, and the majority of the natural ingredients it contains (including soothing aloe and tasty mint leaf oil) are organic.
Best Preventative
Oral Essentials Lumineux Whitening Mouthwash
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Helps prevent cavities
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Mouth feels clean
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Doesn’t cause tooth sensitivity
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Doesn’t irritate gums
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Not a dramatic whitening effect
Active Ingredients: Xylitol | Size: 16 fl. oz | Flavor: Mint
This natural, hydrogen peroxide-free option relies on ingredients such as sea salt, antimicrobial coconut, lemon peel, and clove flower. There are plenty of additional oral health benefits to this mouthwash. For example, it contains xylitol, which helps prevent tooth decay according to Dr. Haddad. “Not only are you whitening your teeth with this product, but you’re also decreasing the stickiness of plaque, decreasing bad oral bacteria as a result,” she explains.
Best With Charcoal
hello Activated Charcoal Mouthwash
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Helps remove stains
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No artificial flavors or dyes
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Prevents bad breath
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Not a dramatic whitening effect
Active Ingredients: Activated charcoal | Size: 16 fl. oz | Flavor: Mint
While this may not be called a whitening mouthwash, Dr. Fung and Dr. Haddad say it can indeed have that effect, thanks to the addition of activated charcoal. Sure, it might seem a little counterintuitive to rinse your mouth with something that looks black in your quest for whiter teeth—but try it. “Activated charcoal absorbs stain-causing particles, while also absorbing the odors that cause bad breath,” says Dr. Fung. Dr. Haddad agrees, pointing out that it’s a good option for generally making teeth look brighter without the use of artificial flavors and dyes.
Best Organic
Essential Organic Brushing Rinse
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Food-grade hydrogen peroxide
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Prevents sensitivity
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Soothes inflamed gums
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Flavors are almost too strong
Active Ingredients: Hydrogen peroxide | Size: 16–32 fl. oz | Flavor: Peppermint, cinnamon, or wintergreen
This mouthwash whitens teeth with food-grade hydrogen peroxide and contains a blend of other organic ingredients, including aloe vera to prevent sensitivity and soothe inflamed gums and essential oils for natural flavor. The brand recommends swishing the formula around your mouth immediately upon waking, eliminating that stagnant bacteria that’s gathered in your saliva overnight, and freshening your breath for the day.
Best Pre-Rinse
Supersmile Whitening Pre-Rinse
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Concentrated formula
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Noticeable results
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Prevents plaque and bad breath
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Might irritate sensitive gums
Active Ingredients: Hydrogen peroxide | Size: 16 fl. oz | Flavor: Mint
This whitening pre-rinse created by Dr. Irwin Smigel, the self-described father of cosmetic dentistry, is designed to be used before brushing your teeth. Swish about a teaspoon’s worth around your mouth for about 30 seconds, spit, then carry on with your usual brushing and flossing routine. Over time you’ll notice your teeth become whiter and your gums more resilient. Just a heads up, the concentrated formula might irritate sensitive gums, but you can dilute it if needed.
Best Travel-Friendly
Boka Restore Mouthwash Tablets
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Strengthens tooth enamel
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Balances oral microbiome
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Easy to travel with
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Some reviewers didn’t like the taste
Active Ingredients: Hydroxyapatite, probiotics | Size: 16 fl. oz | Flavor: Mint
These mouthwash tablets from Boka are genius. Pop one in your mouth, chew, and your saliva will activate the formula, turning it into a minty-fresh mouthwash. The active ingredient in these travel-friendly tablets is hydroxyapatite, a remineralizing agent that works to strengthen tooth enamel, steadily whitening teeth over time. We also love that it includes probiotics to support a balanced oral microbiome that ultimately freshens breath.
Best Color Correcting
Popwhite 2-in-1: Teeth Whitener + Oral Rinse
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Counteracts yellow stains
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Gentle, natural formula
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Protects enamel
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Might make mouth temporarily purple
Active Ingredients: Xylitol, Coconut Oil, Vitamin C | Size: 16.9 fl. oz | Flavor: Mint
You’ve heard of using purple shampoo to keep blonde hair free from brassy yellow tones. Well, this oral rinse from Popwhite is the same thing—but for teeth! The brand’s color-correcting technology counteracts the yellowish stains from food and drink, naturally whitening teeth with consistent use. And yes, it’s purple. The gentle formula is also free from peroxide, charcoal, fluoride, and sulfates, making it a good choice for those who prefer botanical-based products.
Best Luxe
Moon Platinum Whitening Mouth Rinse
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Comes in a beautiful, refillable glass bottle
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Whitens with hydrogen peroxide
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Contains lots of natural active ingredients
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Doesn’t come with a dispenser lid
Active Ingredients: Hydrogen peroxide, Hyaluronic acid + aloe vera | Size: 16.2 fl. oz | Flavor: Mint
You could almost mistake Moon’s frosted glass (refillable) bottle for a high-end skin toner. And you’ll find some skincare crossovers on the ingredients list, too. The whitening formula from this “oral beauty” brand contains a cocktail of actives, including hyaluronic acid and aloe vera to hydrate and soothe, plus 10 oral health-promoting antioxidants and essential oils. Hydrogen peroxide and xylitol also make the cut, elevating the whitening abilities of what can only be described as the world’s fancy mouthwash.
What to Look For in Whitening Mouthwashes
- Whitening Ingredients: Of course, when you are looking for whitening mouthwash, you want to make sure it does its job. There are a handful of ingredients that may help whiten your teeth, but when it comes to effective whitening using mouthwash, hydrogen peroxide is a safe bet. The strength of hydrogen peroxide will vary, but 2-3% is the upper end.
- Cavity Protection: If you want your whitening mouthwash to also help prevent cavities, choose one with fluoride. Some whitening mouthwashes have hydrogen peroxide to whiten and sodium fluoride to prevent decay. While this is not a replacement for fluoride-containing toothpaste, it helps add more protection as a final step in your oral hygiene routine.
- Antibacterial Capabilities: Whitening mouthwash can also help freshen your mouth and kill bacteria that can cause bad breath or decay. Look for ingredients such as alcohol, or if you do not like the burning sensation, try something with xylitol.
Meet Our Experts
The Byrdie team interviewed the following experts to get their insights on whitening mouthwashes.
- Lawrence Fung, DDS, is a cosmetic dentist and founder of Silicon Beach Dental in Culver City, California. He is also a clinical instructor at the Center for Esthetic Dentistry at UCLA.
- Jennifer Haddad, DDS, is a cosmetic dentist in West Hollywood. She focuses on minimally invasive dentistry and has also served as faculty for the University of South California.
- Matt Nejad, DDS, is a cosmetic dentist in Beverly Hills whose celebrity clientele includes Beyoncé and Jay-Z. In addition to being a clinical instructor at the University of South California, he also leads continuing education for dentists around the world and is an expert in veneers.
Why Trust Byrdie
Melanie Rud is a Chicago-based writer with 10 years of experience covering beauty and lifestyle topics. For Byrdie, she’s written about everything from trending skincare to hair loss to nail care.
Esme Benjamin is a writer, editor, and podcaster based in New York. She began writing and editing for Byrdie in 2023. As a wellness expert, she has a particular interest in naturally derived beauty ingredients and the intersection of beauty rituals and self-care.
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