Best Non-Toxic Mouthwash Brands in 2026
You know mouthwash is a non-negotiable part of your oral care routine. But you’ve also come to realize that most mouthwashes are loaded with questionable ingredients. Don’t worry, we’re going to introduce you to the best non-toxic mouthwash brands currently on the market.
These are a breath of fresh air if you’ve ever felt the unmistakable burn of Listerine or wondered what some of those ingredients really do (chlorhexidine, Cetylpyridinium chloride, etc.). The problem with a lot of natural mouthwashes, though, is that they don’t really do anything measurable for oral health.
In order to truly be the best mouthwash, non-toxic formulas have to actually control plaque and tartar, freshen breath, and avoid disrupting your oral microbiome in the process. Discover the top products below!
Why You Should Use a Natural Mouthwash
You spit it out in the sink when you’re done. You don’t swallow it. So what’s the big deal? Your mouth absorbs everything you put in it. Your cheeks, gums, and under your tongue are all made up of highly permeable tissue, so the ingredients in your mouthwash may get through.
This is obviously a little concerning when you consider that most mouthwashes have stuff like fluoride, alcohol (as much as 26% in some formulas), and artificial dyes.
They also have synthetic antimicrobials that kill any and all bacteria they come in contact with. Bad bacteria and good bacteria. Your oral microbiome is a delicate balance of hundreds of species. A lot of them are actually really important.
A 2020 study published in the journal Blood Pressure found that antiseptic mouthwash could reduce nitric oxide production, in turn, influencing blood pressure regulation.4 This just goes to show that the mouthwash you use has far-reaching implications that you may not even think about.
It’s not that mouthwash is bad, though. You absolutely need it if you want to keep your dentist checkups positive and avoid more costly ailments down the road. But you don’t have to settle for formulas that cause more harm than good!
Ingredients to Stay Away From in Mouthwash
Let’s get a little more specific about what separates the best non-toxic mouthwash from the rest. Starting with what you probably want to steer clear of:
- High alcohol content: Some alcohol isn’t bad. The best non-toxic mouthwash still has some - albeit 0.1%, which isn’t enough for you to even notice. It’s HIGH alcohol that’s a problem. A lot of drugstore brands include over 20%. That’s where that familiar burn comes from. High alcohol can dry out oral tissue and impact saliva production.
- Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS): This is a really common foaming agent in not just mouthwash but toothpaste as well. It has been linked to recurring canker sores, and it can also irritate sensitive tissue. It doesn’t actually do anything for oral health, either.
- Chlorhexidine: A really effective prescription-strength antimicrobial. However, it can stain teeth, mess with your taste, and lead to tartar buildup if you use it long-term.
- Artificial flavors: For obvious reasons, you should avoid synthetic flavoring agents if you’re looking for the best non-toxic mouthwash. The flavor should come from real menthol, peppermint, and other essential oils.
- Parabens and Triclosan: Synthetic preservatives and antimicrobials. These are a no-go in any consumer-grade product, but especially mouthwash since they can leach through your oral tissue into your system. The ADA won’t even put its seal of acceptance on products that have triclosan anymore.
- Cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC): A very common ingredient in mouthwashes, even those that are marketed as “gentle.” However, this quaternary ammonium compound can cause staining and tissue irritation.
Scrutinize the label for any of these red flags, and move on to the next product if you see any of them. None of them belong in a natural personal care regimen.
Best Non-Toxic Mouthwash Brands & Products
None of these mouthwashes are toxic, and all of them are commonly recommended as natural alternatives to the big drugstore brands. But which is the best non-toxic mouthwash? Depends on what you care more about:
- The cleanest plant-based formula
- The most effective formula for oral health
You can’t get both, but you can find a good middle ground with a rinse that’s safe and free of the nasty ingredients we talked about above. Let’s start with LIVFRESH, the #1 choice for measurable oral health improvements.
LIVFRESH Plaque Removal Mouthwash
- Price: $29.99
- Main ingredients: Activated Edathamil, Eucalyptol, Thymol, Methyl Salicylate, Allantoin, Menthol, Peppermint
We’re not being cliché when we say this mouthwash is one-of-a-kind. It’s the only formula in the world powered by Activated Edathamil, an ingredient protected by 40 patents and backed by 40 clinical studies.
What makes Activated Edathamil unique is how it’s able to dissolve plaque on contact. It then leaves behind a negative surface charge on the tooth to prevent new plaque from forming. Clinical studies showed it could deliver 72% better plaque reduction and 163% better tartar control.
The best part is it’s low alcohol (0.1%) so you don’t have to worry about it disrupting your oral microbiome or causing that harsh burning sensation. It has no harsh chemicals or parabens, either. 100% safe ingredients for all ages.
RiseWell Balancing Mouthwash
- Price: $20
- Main ingredients: Sodium Bicarbonate, Wild Mint Oil, Peppermint Oil, Tea Tree Oil, Cinnamon Bark Extract
RiseWell makes a lot of oral care products, including mouthwash, all centered around hydroxyapatite. The majority of your tooth enamel is actually made up of this naturally occurring mineral. The idea is that using hydroxyapatite in your toothpaste and mouthwash can restore enamel and help remineralize teeth.
The Balancing Mouthwash by RiseWell also uses xylitol for enamel support while making it harder for bad bacteria to take up residence along the gumline and between teeth. It’s alcohol-free, SLS-free, and doesn’t use any artificial flavors or dyes. Overall, the ingredient list is short and easy to understand. That’s really what you want in a non-toxic oral care product.
David’s Hydroxi Mouthwash
- Price: $15.95 (starter kit with concentrate + glass bottle)
- Main ingredients: Nano-hydroxyapatite, Xylitol, Sodium Bicarbonate, Peppermint Oil, Spearmint Oil, Wintergreen Oil
David’s formula isn’t too different from RiseWell’s. It also uses hydroxyapatite as a gentler alternative to fluoride. It’s a decent enough rinse if you want something that can help remineralize teeth, but it doesn’t do a whole lot for plaque removal.
Nevertheless, David’s as a whole is known as one of the better natural personal care brands out there. Like most of its formulas, the mouthwash is alcohol-free, SLS-free, and made without any artificial preservatives or synthetic dyes.
Wellnesse Balanced Mouth Blend
- Price: $22
- Main ingredient: Essential oils
Wellnesse was founded by wellness author Katie Wells. The mouthwash makes sense for someone who prefers a more botanical approach to oral hygiene, as it’s almost entirely plant-based. Essential oils are the main active ingredients. That includes:
- Almond oil
- Peppermint oil
- Cinnamon leaf oil
- Oregano oil
- Myrrh oil
- Clove oil
- Spearmint oil
This is closer to oil pulling than actual mouthwash. Not a bad thing but something to think about. What makes Wellnesse really unique, other than the formula, is that this is a concentrated mouthwash. You just need a few drops rather than a mouthful.
Boka Restore Mouthwash Tablets
- Price: $19.99
- Main ingredients: Nano-hydroxyapatite, Xylitol, Sodium Bicarbonate, Green Tea Extract, Papain, Lactobacillus Ferment
Boka makes some of the best natural oral care goods on the market. These tablets are a unique twist on the traditional rinse. Chew, swish, spit, and smile! The tablets rely on your saliva to get the active ingredients distributed throughout the oral cavity.
The obvious appeal is travel-friendliness. No need to worry about TSA restrictions or liquid spilling in your luggage. Alcohol-free, fluoride-free, and PETA-approved!
Bite Mouthwash Bits
- Price: $20
- Main ingredients: Xylitol, Nano-hydroxyapatite, Zinc Citrate, Sodium Bicarbonate, Erythritol
Rounding out our list of the best non-toxic mouthwash is Bite - another brand that takes the tablet approach rather than a liquid rinse. This brand is all about sustainability, which might be exactly what you’re looking for. The vegan, cruelty-free tablets ship in recyclable glass jars and don’t contain any alcohol, parabens, SLS, or artificial ingredients, period.
Chew a bit and let it begin fizzing in your mouth, then take a sip of water (a little different from Boka in that sense). Swish for 30 seconds or so, then spit. The active ingredients are xylitol and nano-hydroxyapatite. There’s also calcium carbonate and a few others to form the tablet base.
Frequently asked questions
What is the safest mouthwash to use?
All of these are “safe” in the sense that they won’t hurt you. But in general, the safest mouthwash has low alcohol and is completely devoid of SLS, Triclosan, parabens, and artificial flavoring. Basically, the formula doesn't disrupt the sensitive oral microbiome at the expense of oral hygiene.
What is the best all-natural mouthwash?
Tough to say, because “all natural” can mean different things to different people. Some brands (Wellnesse, Bite) use only plant-derived ingredients. Others use naturally occurring minerals like hydroxyapatite (RiseWell, Boka, David's). LIVFRESH is in a different league in that it created the ultimate plaque-removal compound, Activated Edathamil, so there doesn’t have to be any harsh ingredients included.
Which mouthwash is not harmful?
No mouthwash on our list is harmful if you use it as directed. We chose the best non-toxic mouthwash meticulously, so you never have to worry about high alcohol, SLS, chlorhexidine, parabens, or other nasty stuff if you pick a product from this list.
References
- Joshipura KJ et al. "Over-the-counter mouthwash use, nitric oxide and hypertension risk." Blood Pressure, 2020; 29(2):103-112. https://doi.org/10.1080/08037051.2019.1680270
- American Dental Association. "Mouthwash (Mouthrinse)." MouthHealthy.org. https://www.mouthhealthy.org/all-topics-a-z/mouthwash
- Haps S. et al. "The Effect of Cetylpyridinium Chloride Mouthrinse as Adjuncts to Toothbrushing on Plaque and Parameters of Gingival Inflammation." International Journal of Dental Hygiene, 2008; 6(4):290-303. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1601-5037.2008.00344
