Best Mouthwash for Gum Disease
Bleeding when you brush. Tender gums that never quite calm down. That constant fuzzy film that seems to come back no matter how carefully you clean. These are all signs of gum disease, and more than half of adults (even those who brush daily) are affected.
The good news is that a mouthwash can make a real difference. It reaches where bristles can’t, loosens plaque along the gumline, and helps support healthier gums between cleanings. Not all formulas are made equal, though. You need the BEST mouthwash for gum disease.
We’ll compare leading options below and show you why our new formula here at LIVFRESH is the best gum disease mouthwash according to clinical studies. It’s powered by an ingredient backed by 40 patents - activated edathamil - which disrupts the oral microbiome.
It provides 163% better tartar control, improves gum health 114% more, and reduces plaque 72% better than leading alternatives. Order now for smoother teeth, stronger gums, and lasting freshness without any harsh burn. See what keeps customers coming back for more!
Quick Overview of the Best Mouthwash for Gum Disease
|
Brand |
Active Ingredient / Approach |
Alcohol Content |
Benefits |
Drawbacks |
Clinical / Notes |
|
LIVFRESH Mouthwash |
Activated Edathamil + essential oils |
~0.1% |
2× better gum & tartar results, 70% better plaque control, minimal burn |
Premium price; best results with LIVFRESH Gel |
Clinically proven; patented plaque-disrupting tech |
|
TheraBreath Healthy Gums |
Cetylpyridinium Chloride (CPC) |
0% |
Reduces bleeding, gentle for daily use, mild taste |
Limited tartar control; surface-level action |
OTC therapeutic rinse with clinical backing |
|
Crest Pro-Health Gum & Breath Purify |
CPC 0.07% |
0% |
Freshens breath, supports gum comfort, ADA-accepted |
No molecular plaque disruption |
Proven CPC-based gingivitis control |
|
Colgate Total Gum Health |
CPC + zinc |
0% |
Reduces bleeding 45%, gentle mint, minimal burn |
Maintenance-focused; limited tartar benefits |
Clinical reduction in gingival bleeding |
|
Listerine Gum Therapy |
Essential oils (EO blend) |
~21% |
Strong antiseptic action, ADA-accepted for plaque/gingivitis |
Drying, high burn, harsh for sensitive mouths |
ADA-accepted for gingivitis reduction |
What is Mouthwash?
Also known as an oral rinse, this liquid solution is used post-brushing to clean areas your toothbrush can’t easily reach. It sweeps away residual debris, neutralizes compounds that cause odor, and helps keep the oral environment balanced.
Mouthwash can serve different purposes depending on the formula. Some are cosmetic, offering a quick burst of freshness, while others are therapeutic, containing active ingredients that target gum health, plaque buildup, or tartar control.
Most people think of mouthwash as a finishing touch to brushing, but modern versions can do far more than just freshen breath. Ingredients like essential oils, zinc compounds, and activated agents can penetrate dental plaque and loosen the film that forms along teeth and gums.
The problem is, traditional antiseptic rinses are “alcohol heavy.” This can dry the mouth and irritate sensitive gums. Fortunately, a lot of newer formulas are low-alcohol to avoid this issue. They use science-backed technology to clean effectively without that harsh burn.
How Can a Gum Disease Mouthwash Help?
You probably know you need the best toothpaste for gum disease. But why is it worth adding the best mouthwash for gum disease to your oral care arsenal as well?
Reducing Plaque Buildup Between Brushing Sessions
Plaque starts forming within hours after brushing, and it thrives in spots that toothbrush bristles can’t reach - between teeth, under the gumline, and around dental work. The best gum disease mouthwash can work into these areas and chemically loosen plaque, making it impossible for new buildup to attach.
Supporting Gum Health and Comfort
Beyond controlling plaque, a good gum-care mouthwash helps the tissue itself stay resilient. Healthy gums need good circulation, balanced hydration, and a clean environment for repair.
Some mouthwashes have mild anti-inflammatory agents or soothing ingredients like aloe, allantoin, or essential oils to calm tenderness after brushing/flossing. Consistent rinsing also keeps the area around the gumline free from proteins and acids that can irritate delicate tissue.
Helping Control Mouth Odor Linked to Gum Issues
Bad breath is one of the most common (and frustrating) signs of poor gum health. Plaque and food residue linger and release sulfur-based gases that create an unpleasant odor. It makes it so you’re hesitant to talk to people too closely out of fear of offending them.
Mouthwashes formulated for gum care address this problem by neutralizing these compounds instead of simply masking them. Zinc, mild essential oils, and oxygenating agents help break down the molecules responsible for odor while keeping the mouth feeling fresh for longer.
Types of Mouthwashes for Gum Disease
It’s clear you need a good mouthwash to support oral health. But what should you look for to make sure you’re getting the right formula? After all, we said from the start that not all formulas are created equal. Here’s what you need to know about the best mouthwash for gum disease.
Antiseptic and Essential Oil Mouthwashes
These formulas use blends of essential oils (eucalyptol, menthol, thymol, methyl salicylate) to penetrate biofilm and reduce the sticky matrix that holds plaque together. They work fast and provide noticeable freshening. Many deliver measurable reductions in plaque with regular use.
Just know that classic antiseptic rinses can sting and may dry the mouth if they contain high levels of alcohol. You’ll want to find one with a low alcohol content. Speaking of which…
Alcohol-Based vs Alcohol-Minimal Formulas
High-alcohol rinses are notorious for leaving the mouth feeling dry and sensitive, especially for older adults or those with dry-mouth issues. Yes, the sensory effect can be pleasant in some cases - and it does help dissolve oily residues in the mouth. But we prefer lower alcohol content.
Alcohol-minimal or alcohol-free formulas preserve moisture and usually combine milder solvents with active agents (zinc, CPC, essential oils). This is what we recommend as the best gum disease mouthwash if you have sensitive gums or chronic dry mouth.
Chlorhexidine and Prescription-Strength Options
Chlorhexidine gluconate is a powerful rinse that you’ll see prescribed for short-term use after dental surgery - OR for severe gum infections. It penetrates biofilm really well and can produce a tangible reduction in gum pocketing when used correctly.
Downsides include staining of teeth and temporary taste change, so dentists restrict it to limited courses rather than daily lifetime use. It’s not the best mouthwash for gum disease for the long haul.
Zinc and CPC-Based Rinses
Zinc salts and cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) target the chemical byproducts of plaque that cause odor and irritation. They tend to be gentler than heavy antiseptics while reducing volatile sulfur compounds and surface buildup.
These types of mouthwashes offer a good balance of comfort and results for people who want less irritation with measurable breath and plaque benefits.
Enzyme and Activated-Compound Mouthwashes
This newer class includes enzyme blends, chelating agents, and activated compounds designed to disrupt plaque adhesion at the molecular level rather than simply polishing or masking. We think this is the best mouthwash for gum disease.
These ingredients can loosen biofilm structure to make mechanical removal (brushing/flossing) more effective. They often show superior tartar and plaque control in clinical trials when compared to older rinse categories. So, what is the best mouthwash for gum disease?
What is the Best Mouthwash for Gum Disease?
Finding the right mouthwash for gum disease means looking beyond minty flavor or that short-lived “burn” that feels like it’s working. A truly effective formula needs to penetrate plaque, protect the gums from buildup, and stay gentle enough for daily use.
While most mouthwashes can mask odor or loosen surface debris, very few can actually reach into the plaque layer and disrupt it. That’s why LIVFRESH is the best mouthwash for gum disease, by far.
LIVFRESH Mouthwash
Our mouthwash was made to solve a long-standing problem in oral care - plaque that survives brushing. You might know about our gel toothpaste that contains a patented ingredient known as activated edathamil. Well, we brought this same plaque-fighting ingredient to mouthwash.
Activated Edathamil works on a molecular level, targeting the chemical bonds that let plaque cling to the teeth and gumline. Instead of just killing surface organisms or masking odor, it physically weakens the structure of dental biofilm, so it’s easier to rinse and brush away.
When compared to alcohol-heavy rinses like Listerine and Scope, it delivered over twice the improvement in gum health and more than 70% better plaque reduction. Meanwhile, users in a double-blind university study also reported healthier gums, less tartar buildup, and 59% better breath quality within weeks of use.
The best part is it’s actually enjoyable and comfortable to use on a daily basis, unlike harsh antiseptics. It contains just 0.1% alcohol - enough to help deliver active ingredients without causing dryness or irritation.
We’ve rounded out the formula with essential oils (eucalyptol, thymol, and menthol) for a light, cooling sensation. Think freshness without burning. The ingredients are handpicked with long-term oral balance in mind - use it daily without disrupting the mouth’s natural environment.
You should pair the best gum disease mouthwash with the plaque removal toothpaste we spent over a decade developing for the best results. Our gel is clinically proven to remove plaque up to 250% better while improving gum health 190% more on its own!
Together, they create a dual-charge effect: the gel primes the tooth surface, and the mouthwash amplifies plaque repulsion for a smoother, longer-lasting clean. Brush, rinse, and protect with LIVFRESH - the patented system for measurable gum health improvement!
TheraBreath Healthy Gums Oral Rinse
TheraBreath’s Healthy Gums Oral Rinse is often called the best mouthwash for gum disease - and it makes sense, as it was developed with a single goal in mind. Help users manage the early signs of gum irritation.
This mouthwash is powered by CPC, a clinically validated compound known to reduce plaque and fight gingivitis-causing buildup. The formula is alcohol-free, so it avoids the burning sensation of traditional rinses while still cleaning below the gumline. It also has essential oils and mild flavoring agents that leave a clean, minty finish without drying the mouth.
TheraBreath works best for people with sensitive gums or those prone to bleeding when brushing. It’s easy to integrate into a daily routine and pairs well with fluoride vs non-fluoride toothpaste alike.
But while it can help prevent plaque accumulation, it doesn’t actively dissolve tartar or disrupt biofilm like LIVFRESH can. It falls short of the best gum disease mouthwash when compared to our formula.
Crest Pro-Health Gum and Breath Purify Mouthwash
Crest’s Pro-Health Gum and Breath Purify mouthwash is formulated around CPC as well (0.07% compared to 0.05% in TheraBreath) to help prevent plaque and reduce gingivitis.
But what sets this rinse apart is it tries to accomplish two goals at once: supporting gum health while freshening breath with menthol and light herbal notes. It’s alcohol-free as well, making it more comfortable for users with dry or sensitive mouths.
Crest is an undeniable force in the oral care industry, and it positions this mouthwash as part of the larger Pro-Health line. It’s meant to complement brushing and flossing for full-day protection.
Despite appearing effective for controlling minor plaque buildup and maintaining gum comfort between dental visits, the formula doesn’t have the same level of clinical evidence as our mouthwash here at LIVFRESH does.
It’s also worth noting a ot of people say the flavor is a little off-putting, which can make it hard to stick with for the long haul. Consistency is everything when it comes to the best mouthwash for gum disease, so that could be a dealbreaker.
Colgate Total Gum Health Mouthwash
Your search for the best gum disease mouthwash will probably bring up Colgate’s Total Gum Health formula. This rinse is made for those who want something gentle that still makes a noticeable difference.
It’s alcohol-free, featuring CPC as the main active ingredient to reduce plaque and gingival bleeding. The brand even cites a clinical study showing a 45% stronger reduction in gingival bleeding compared to a non-antibacterial control after six weeks of twice-daily use.
The formula also uses zinc compounds for freshening. What you won’t see on the label is ethanol, which can be a huge selling point if you have a sensitive mouth or deal with dryness. The flavor profile is a clean mint with minimal burn.
Just be aware that the rinse might leave a little to be desired as far as results go. Especially when looked at next to LIVFRESH, the best mouthwash for gum disease. This formula has no advanced plaque-adhesion disruption or high-level tartar control technologies.
Listerine Gum Therapy Mouthwash
Listerine Gum Therapy is definitely a strong contender for the best gum disease mouthwash. After all, this is the brand most people associate with mouthwash in general. The formula relies on a classic essential oil blend:
- Eucalyptol 0.092%
- Menthol 0.042%
- Methyl salicylate 0.060%
- Thymol 0.064%
The manufacturer lists these as active ingredients for antiplaque and antigingivitis effects. The rinse is ADA-accepted for helping reduce gingivitis and plaque above the gumline when used twice daily.
The product is relatively high in alcohol content, though, at 21.6% alcohol by volume. This gives it a strong antiseptic character and that hallmark “clean mouth” feeling, but can also cause dryness or irritation in sensitive mouths.
Listerine doesn’t necessarily address plaque and gingivitis the same way LIVFRESH does, either. But the truth is, nothing does. LIVFRESH is the best mouthwash for gum disease thanks to the patented ingredient: activated edathamil. You won’t find it elsewhere.
So why settle for less than the best gum disease mouthwash? Shop LIVFRESH today.
Bringing Our Guide on the Best Mouthwash for Gum Disease to a Close
Whether you’re looking for the best mouthwash for gum disease or the best toothpaste for receding gums, your search ends at LIVFRESH. Our formulas are powered by activated edathamil, an ingredient backed by 26 clinical studies and thousands of dentist endorsements.
Our mouthwash and toothpaste actively disrupt plaque, help reduce tartar buildup, and keep gums comfortable without harsh burning sensations. More importantly, our solutions prevent plaque from sticking in the first place.
Use them together and you’ll be amazed at what a difference they can make in how your gums look and feel. Even your dentist will notice you made a change! Brush smarter, rinse better with LIVFRESH today.
