Listerine vs. TheraBreath vs. Crest vs. ACT: Who Wins the Mouthwash Brand Showdown?

What are the most popular mouthwash brands?

Rinsing your mouth with mouthwash for 35 seconds can help prevent plaque buildup, gingivitis, cavities and bacteria, and has cosmetic benefits like better breath and whiter teeth.

Although mouthwash is not required, it can still be an effective addition to your oral health routine. 

Mouthwash can make it easier to access parts of the mouth brushing and flossing can't, like the gums.  

Doctors recommend rinsing with mouthwash after brushing to cover all tooth roots. So how to choose a mouthwash brand?

Here are 4 of the most popular mouthwash brands:

• Listerine 
  

• TheraBreath

• ACT

• Crest

The “best” mouthwash ultimately depends on what you need it for.

We will introduce 4 different types of mouthwash, including the features and differences of these popular brands.

Listerine vs. TheraBreath vs. Crest vs. ACT: How are they different?

Greet the world with a smile when you use the best mouthwash for your oral hygiene needs. 

	TheraBreath	ACT	Listerine	Crest
	($8.79 FROM Walgreens - Get Up To 4% Cash Back & Save 10%)	($6.49 FROM Walgreens - Get Up To 4% Cash Back)	($8.98 FROM Walmart - Get Up To 4% Cash Back)	($7.32 FROM Walmart - Get Up To 4% Cash Back)
Effect	for freshening breath	for cavity prevention	for reducing plaque and gingivitis	for teeth whitening
Features	TheraBreath Fresh Breath Mouthwash helps reduce bad breath.  The product range is alcohol-free and contains no artificial fragrances, dyes or colors, sulfates or parabens.	ACT Anti-Cavity Fluoride Rinse helps strengthen tooth enamel and prevent cavities.	LISTERINE Antiseptic regimen helps prevent and reduce plaque and gingivitis.	Crest Pro-Health Advanced is an anticavity fluoride mouthwash.
Key ingredients	Citrus lemon peel oil, menthol, peppermint oil, sodium chlorite, xylitol.	Sodium fluoride.	Eucalyptol, menthol, thymol.	sodium fluoride.
Product Series	TheraBreath is available in a variety of formulations, including mouthwashes for whitening, healthy gums, dry mouth, and anti-cavity for adults and kids.  TheraBreath Fresh Breath Mouthwash is the only TheraBreath product to be included on the ADA Seal of Approval list.	ACT comes in a variety of flavors including Dry Mouth, Bubble Gum, Restoring, Wild Watermelon, Zero Alcohol or Strawberry.  ACT Anti-Cavity Fluoride Rinse Adult and Kids products are included on the ADA Approved Products List.	Listerine is available in a variety of formulations, including anti-cavity fluoride mouthwash and alcohol-free mouthwash.  Many Listerine products, including Listerine Antiseptic, receive the ADA's seal of approval. But most of Listerine's mouthwashes are acidic, so they are ineffective at preventing or treating cavities.	Crest mouthwash is available as a whitening product, gum care and sensitivity formulation, anticavity formulation and to reduce bad breath. Though many of Crest’s toothpaste products made ADA’s Seal of Acceptance list, none of the company’s mouthwashes are listed.

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#1. TheraBreath Fresh Breath Oral Rinse - Mild Mint

($8.79 FROM Walgreens - Get Up To 4% Cash Back & Save 10%)

Product Details:

• Key ingredients: Sodium hydroxide, peppermint oil

• Flavor: Mint 

• Size: 16 oz

There's a reason TheraBreath Fresh Breath Oral Rinse is trending on TikTok—It has powerful breath freshening properties.

This is all thanks to its dental formula and sodium hydroxide mixture.

Sodium hydroxide helps maintain the pH balance in your mouth and eliminates some of the acid.

Additionally, peppermint oil is very effective in naturally fighting bad breath and killing bacteria, helping to control plaque and gingivitis.

It’s alcohol-free, so it won’t cause any burning sensation, and it doesn’t contain allergens like benzalkonium chloride. 

We also like that the mint flavor is mild enough to eliminate bad breath without leaving a strong aftertaste.

The company was founded by a dentist, and TheraBreath formulas carry the ADA seal of approval, supporting their efficacy and quality. 

TheraBreath is specially formulated with active ingredients like menthol for more effective long-term bad breath control. Additionally, TheraBreath claims it can fight bad breath for up to 24 hours.

The mouthwash has over 6,000 reviews at Walmart and maintains a 4.7-star rating. "TheraBreathe I love the flavor and refreshing feel," one shopper wrote. "Leaving a fresh and clean feeling in my boska hygiene, this is the best alcohol-free product that I recommend and invite you to try".

#2. ACT Restoring Anticavity Fluoride Mouthwash, Cool Mint

($6.49 FROM Walgreens - Get Up To 4% Cash Back)

Product Details:

• Key ingredients: Sodium Fluoride

• Flavor: Mint

• Size: 33.8 fl oz

ACT is the #1 dentist-recommended enamel strengthening brand. The main difference between ACT Anticavity and ACT Restoring is the concentration of anti-moth fluoride: ACT Anticavity contains 0.05% sodium fluoride; ACT Restoring contains 0.02% sodium fluoride.

For daily use, some people may only need to use ACT Recovery Mouthwash.

Many mouthwashes don't actually prevent cavities, only proper brushing and a healthy diet can do that. But using a fluoride mouthwash can help remineralize your teeth and strengthen their enamel, making them more resistant to the bacteria and acids that cause cavities and other problems.

Most people get enough fluoride from drinking water and toothpaste. But if you have dry mouth or frequent cavities, using a fluoride mouthwash can help.

We like ACT Restorative Mouthwash, a fluoride mouthwash that helps strengthen and remineralize teeth, reducing the chance of cavities.

It also contains no alcohol, which not only causes burns but can further dry out your mouth and exacerbate cavities.

It has a nice minty flavor without being overpowering, and users noticed significant improvement in cavities after six months of use.

This mouthwash has a refreshing mint flavor and is affordable.

Please note: ACT Restorative Mouthwash comes in two flavors. Mint Burst contains no alcohol; Cooling Mint contains 11% alcohol. That’s why we recommend people with sensitive teeth choose the alcohol-free Mint Burst.

#3. Listerine Total Care Zero Alcohol Anticavity Mouthwash

($8.98 FROM Walmart - Get Up To 4% Cash Back)

Product Details:

• Key ingredients: Eucalyptol, menthol, methyl salicylate, thymol

• Flavor: Mint

• Size: 33 fl oz

Listerine Total Care uses the brand's essential oil blend, including eucalyptol and menthol, both of which act as antifungal ingredients to limit bacterial growth; Listerine's essential oil blend was the subject of a study in the Saudi Dental Journal, the study showed that the formula was effective in reducing plaque and gingivitis when used as part of regular dental treatment.

This mouthwash is popular mainly due to several ingredients that dentists highlight: the active ingredient sodium fluoride fights cavities, and menthol, eucalyptol and thymol have antibacterial properties. The ADA says this mouthwash "is safe and has been shown to help prevent tooth decay."

And the brand notes that this fluoride-enriched, alcohol-free mouthwash packs six mouthwash benefits in one bottle.

Regardless, users can attest: essential oils, used together with fluoride, can prevent plaque, especially above the gum line. This is because anti-plaque mouthwash can help reduce gingivitis by preventing plaque from colonizing and maturing.

Relative to other brands, Listerine has a strong mint flavor, which may be pungent to some people. It might appeal more to people who like mint flavor.

#4. Crest Pro-Health Advanced Extra Whitening Mouthwash

($7.32 FROM Walmart - Get Up To 4% Cash Back)

This mouthwash has all the multi-tasking benefits of a regular Pro-Health formula (kills bacteria, removes plaque, fights cavities, removes stains, reduces gum disease and prevents bad breath) with the added benefit of teeth whitening.

If you want to clear your teeth, this is a good and effective option.

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