Best Mouthwash for Plaque
While brushing and flossing should always be the foundation of your oral care regimen, you need to use the best mouthwash for plaque removal.
A plaque removal mouthwash can reach into deeper areas where buildup really likes to hide. We’ll help you weigh your options below, including LIVFRESH, Listerine, Therabreath, Crest, and more.
Key Takeaways
- CPC and essential-oil rinses help control daily buildup, but results depend heavily on consistency.
- LIVFRESH gives you the strongest plaque removal because activated edathamil disrupts biofilm at the bond level.
- Alcohol level, flavor, and comfort matter - your mouthwash only works if you can stick with it twice a day.
Overview of Periodontal Disease
Most cases of periodontal disease can be traced back to plaque - the sticky, bacteria-rich film that settles along the teeth and gumline. It thickens and hardens into tartar when it’s left to settle, triggering irritation throughout the surrounding tissue. This can lead to:
- Bleeding gums
- Pocketing
- Bone loss
Daily brushing and flossing remove most soft plaque, but even the best toothpaste for plaque can’t reach into tight spaces where biofilm anchors itself. That’s where the best mouthwash for plaque comes in.
Different Types of Mouthwashes
Here are the main types you’ll see when shopping for the best mouthwash for plaque:
- Antibacterial rinses: Use CPC or essential oils to eliminate the bacteria that help plaque grow.
- Anti-inflammatory rinses: Often contain aloe, chamomile, or mild botanicals to calm irritated gums while you manage buildup.
- Enzyme or activated-compound rinses: Designed to weaken plaque adhesion so brushing removes more of it.
- Fluoride mouthwashes: Strengthen enamel and support areas where plaque acidity has weakened the surface.
- Alcohol-based rinses: Create a strong “clean” sensation but may cause dryness if used long-term.
- Alcohol-free rinses: Better for sensitive mouths and dry-mouth sufferers; still effective when paired with proven actives.
If you’re looking for the best mouthwash to remove plaque, you’ll probably want to focus mainly on enzyme/activated compound formulas. We’ll help you weigh your options below.
What Should You Look For in the Best Mouthwash for Plaque?
Aside from knowing the types of mouthwashes that work best for plaque control, you should look closer at the ingredients label and identify proven compounds such as:
- Cetylpyridinium Chloride (CPC): Reduces bacterial load and helps slow new plaque formation.
- Essential oils (eucalyptol, menthol, thymol, methyl salicylate): Shown to disrupt surface biofilm and improve breath quality.
- Activated edathamil: Weakens the chemical bonds that allow plaque to stick to enamel, making it easier to remove. It can improve gum health 190% more than leading alternatives, according to studies.
- Enzyme blends: Break down the biofilm matrix so brushing clears more buildup.
- Zinc salts: Help neutralize sulfur compounds and support plaque control around the gumline.
- Fluoride: Supports enamel weakened by plaque acids and protects exposed areas.
Think about how a formula will fit your daily routine, too. Alcohol-heavy formulas have a strong bite, which can lead to dryness and, in turn, worsen plaque problems. We recommend a low alcohol formula.
Flavor matters more than people admit, too. You need something you can commit to day in, day out. If the mouthwash tastes harsh you’ll be more likely to skip usage. Consistency is everything with plaque control.
The best mouthwash for plaque removal should be backed by clinical data, too. This way you know you’re getting the support you need to bring out the best in your oral hygiene. There are a few rinses that you can consider below.
The Best Mouthwashes for Plaque
Each of these formulas has earned a reputation for improving oral health by controlling plaque.
LIVFRESH
LIVFRESH Mouthwash was designed for people who deal with recurring buildup, gum irritation, or that rough “morning fuzz” feeling even after brushing.
Patented activated edathamil disrupts the bond between plaque and enamel, so brushing and swishing effortlessly eliminates the sticky substance that can cause so many oral health complications. This translates to:
- Smoother teeth
- Fresher breath
- Calmer gums
- Less plaque & tartar buildup
The alcohol content is only 0.1%, so you get a fresh peppermint taste without the sharp burn most rinses leave behind. It’s gentle enough for implants, veneers, bridges, and orthodontics.
Crest Pro-Health Multi-Protection
Crest Pro-Health Multi-Protection uses CPC as its active ingredient, and the formula is built to kill odor-causing bacteria and support everyday plaque control.
It’s a familiar, mainstream rinse meant to freshen the mouth, strengthen enamel, and give a cleaner feel after brushing. It’s alcohol-free, too, which means you won’t have to worry about that strong burn found in older formulas.
Listerine Cool Mint Antiseptic
Listerine is powered by a classic blend of essential oils and alcohol so it has a powerful antimicrobial effect. Expect a sharp, intense sensation, followed by a “deep clean” feeling because of the heat and flavor strength.
It helps reduce germs connected to plaque and gingivitis and can leave the mouth feeling cleaner for longer stretches of the day. But anyone with a dry mouth, sensitivity, or irritated gums may find it uncomfortable to use regularly. The burning sensation can make it hard to commit to using it twice a day, and that’s important.
TheraBreath Plaque Control Pre-Brush Rinse
TheraBreath’s Plaque Control Pre-Brush Rinse is made to be used before brushing. It gives the mouth a gentle clean and helps soften plaque so that when you go to brush, it comes free more easily.
This formula is similar to Crest’s Pro-Health Multi-Protection mouthwash in the sense that it uses CPC as its active ingredient and keeps the formula alcohol-free, dye-free, and SLS-free.
So, the rinse feels mild, spreads easily, and pairs well with sensitive mouths or anyone trying to avoid harsh ingredients. But what makes it different, and why it’s worth considering as the best mouthwash for plaque, is that it’s a pre-brush format. When used correctly, it makes it easier for toothbrush bristles to sweep away buildup.
Hello Peace Out, Plaque
This artisan brand is yet another that relies on CPC as the core active ingredient, all while avoiding alcohol altogether.
What makes this formula unique is that it’s built around soothing ingredients like aloe and coconut oil. It has a mild mint flavor, a smooth mouthfeel, and a clean-ingredient profile for people who want a soft, comfortable rinse they can use twice a day without sting or burn.
The rinse supports gum health and fights the bacteria linked to plaque growth. But like other CPC rinses, the plaque-removal effect is supportive rather than aggressive.
Final Words on the Best Mouthwash for Plaque Removal
You can continue to weigh your options in our blog if you’d like. We have resources on Therabreath vs Listerine and Listerine vs Crest mouthwash.
But whether you want the best mouthwash for plaque removal or the best mouthwash for gum disease, look no further than LIVRFRESH. Your order is backed by a 30-day satisfaction guarantee. That’s enough time to see a difference in your oral hygiene.
