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Bad breath can kill good air. It can ruin a first date, a business meeting, or even cause a fight between two long-time partners. I think being told “your breath sucks” is just as awful as being the one having to smell it. But then imagine if no one told you about your bothersome breath? Ugh. I hope the bad breath didn't leave a lasting bad impression.
I guess one symptom of being a well-groomed editor and writer (and therefore a professional product tester) is that I'm hyper-aware of my breathing—or let's call it hyper-paranoid. In my opinion, bad breath is something that is extremely preventable, but only if a plan is in place. I'm also a professional coffee drinker and love smothering my food in garlic. This is all a recipe for rank, but I'm careful to counteract it with an overactive oral care regimen (and get disappointed if I don't succeed on a particular day). And a mouthwash has proven critical.
If there's one product I like to have by the bathroom sink more than any other, it's the SmartMouth mouthwash. Seriously, when it comes to mouthwash against bad breath, other mouthwash products wish They could be this. This is the product that keeps my breath freshest and, just as importantly, the longest. With most other mouthwashes, I change them every few hours so I don't torture my partner, the UPS guy, or the grocery store clerk. But with SmartMouth, it's really just a matter of rinsing in the morning after the first cup of coffee and rinsing in the evening before bed.
What is the Best Mouthwash Against Bad Breath?
SmartMouth Original Mouthwash 32-Ounce Bottle
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SmartMouth Original Mouthwash 16-Ounce Bottle (Pack of 2)
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First of all, I'm always looking for alcohol-free rinses to prevent my mouth from drying out. That's the point, see: You want to maintain a humid environment inside; Your saliva helps break down and eliminate food particles and the bacteria that feast on them. In dry mouth, these bacteria multiply and their waste creates bad odor. So remember, first and foremost, you want an alcohol-free rinse.
SmartMouth takes this one step further; Or rather, it takes it two steps further. The bottle has two compartments with separate solutions that combine with each other as you pour (so make sure you pour with the belly of the bottle facing down, not the side of the bottle, to get an even distribution). Half of the liquid is loaded with zinc ions, which bind to the microbes in your mouth and prevent them from feasting. The other half eliminates pre-existing odor by removing sulfur. That morning rinse will get you through the day, and a bedtime rinse will get you through the night to alleviate bad morning breath. (Your teacher will thank you for this.)
SmartMouth Clinical Active Breath Rinse 16-Ounce Bottle
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There are a few remixes of the classic formula, too: If you're prone to bleeding gums, you might want the clinical-grade SmartMouth Clinical Activated Breath Rinse solution to combat plaque buildup. If you frequently experience mouth sores, SmartMouth has a menthol option to ease the soreness: SmartMouth Activated Dual Solution Mouth Sore Rinse. Do you have diagnosable dry mouth? Get the SmartMouth Dry Mouth Activated Breath Rinse (this is a double moisturizing recipe).
I must add that it is still imperative to follow a comprehensive oral care routine day and night. Otherwise mouthwash is just a band-aid against a much bigger problem if you're accumulating plaque buildup and leaving food particles in there. So, floss every night, brush your teeth at least twice a day (with the best electric toothbrush and the best toothpaste money can buy). I've found that a good xylitol gum can help in the middle of the day, and sleeping in a dry room with a humidifier can relieve dry mouth overnight. Pleasant morning and night kisses will be guaranteed.
Related: Best Electric Toothbrush Picks of 2024, Tested and Reviewed