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Scope vs Listerine Mouthwash

Author

Michael Hansford

Published

September 1, 2025

We get asked all the time how Scope vs Listerine vs LIVFRESH stack up. The short answer: LIVFRESH is totally different from the other two drugstore mouthwash brands.

Scope is best known for its breath-freshening formula. It has mint flavoring, mild antibacterial agents, and a noticeable alcohol bite. It’s easy to find, easy to use, and mainly meant to mask odor.

On the other hand, Listerine is stronger with its essential oil blend and high alcohol content. It has that unmistakable sharp, heated feel that helps cut through surface debris and reduce plaque above the gumline.

We’ll compare and contrast Listerine vs Scope in depth below to help you see where they differ from one another, and what makes LIVFRESH the #1 plaque removal mouthwash. It’s powered by a patented ingredient called activated edathamil, which can deliver:

163% better tartar control
114% better gum health
72% better plaque reduction

Read on below to find the right mouthwash for your oral care needs!

Scope vs Listerine vs LIVFRESH (Quick Look)

Feature	Scope	Listerine	LIVFRESH
Main Goal	Fresh breath and light surface cleaning.	Strong antimicrobial action for plaque and odor.	Break up plaque bonds and support measurable gum improvement.
Key Active Ingredient(s)	Cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) in select formulas.	Essential oils blend (eucalyptol, menthol, thymol, methyl salicylate).	Activated edathamil + essential oils.
Plaque & Gum Support	Helps with odor-related bacteria; modest plaque support.	Meaningful reduction in bacteria linked to plaque and gingivitis.	Clinically shown to reduce plaque, tartar buildup, and improve gum scores.
Alcohol Level / Sensation	Typically low alcohol; smooth and mild rinse.	High alcohol; pronounced burn and strong flavor.	~0.1% alcohol; cool peppermint with no harsh burn.
Fresh-Breath Performance	Short-term freshening, good for quick odor control.	Long-lasting freshness due to strong essential oils.	Fresh breath benefits with measurable plaque reduction.
Best Use Case	People mainly concerned about breath and a mild daily rinse.	Adults wanting aggressive bacteria-killing power.	Anyone with plaque buildup, tartar concerns, or gum issues.
Daily Comfort	Easy for sensitive mouths to tolerate.	Often too harsh for dry mouth or irritated gums.	Comfortable for twice-daily use, even with sensitivity.

Pros and Cons of Scope Mouthwash

Scope has been a drugstore staple for decades, mainly known for its fresh-breath formulas.

Scope Original Mint and Scope Outlast both leave the mouth feeling cleaner and fresher for a little longer after brushing. They use alcohol, flavoring agents, and mild antibacterial compounds to cut down odor-causing bacteria.

Scope doesn’t make much of a dent in gum or plaque concerns. Think of it more as an everyday breath freshener. That’s fine if you just want something simple and easy to use. But it’ll fall short if you’re dealing with stubborn buildup or gum irritation.

Pros

Leaves a strong, minty aftertaste that freshens breath fast.
Affordable and easy to find across grocery stores, pharmacies, and other retailers.
Gentle enough if you don’t enjoy the intense burn of harsher antiseptic mouthwashes.

Cons

The alcohol content can dry the mouth, which may encourage plaque to return faster.
Doesn’t break down plaque structure or support gum health in a meaningful way.
Benefits fade fast. More of a cosmetic breath rinse than a long-term oral health solution.

Pros and Cons of Listerine Mouthwash

This is the brand that comes to mind for most people when they think of mouthwash. People associate it with that sharp antiseptic “bite,” and that comes from two things: high alcohol content and a blend of essential oils, including:

Eucalyptol
Menthol
Thymol
Methyl salicylate

These ingredients all work in synergy to break through eucalyptol, menthol, thymol, and methyl salicylate. Formulas can differ a little bit, which is nice because you can choose a mouthwash based on your exact goals: Gum Therapy, Total Care, and Listerine Zero (the lower-alcohol option).

In general, though, this is the “strong stuff.” That can be a good or bad thing depending on your preferences for an oral rinse. Those who want something gentle yet more powerful in terms of results will find LIVFRESH to be a better Listerine alternative.

Pros

Essential oil blend delivers fast antimicrobial activity and a strong clean feeling.
Widely available and comes in many versions, including alcohol-free options.
ADA-accepted formulas for plaque and gingivitis control when used twice daily.

Cons

High alcohol content can sting, dry the mouth, and worsen irritation for sensitive users.
An intense flavor profile can make daily use difficult if you prefer mild rinses.
Doesn’t disrupt plaque adhesion, so plaque control will be an ongoing battle.

Scope vs Listerine Mouthwash: Key Differences to Consider

It’s easy to see why Listerine vs Scope are compared all the time. They’re household names that are easy to find locally. But that doesn’t mean either option is necessarily the “best” choice for oral hygiene. Let’s take a closer look at Scope vs Listerine mouthwash side-by-side below.

Antimicrobial Strength

A lot of what mainstream mouthwashes are meant to do is kill bacteria in the mouth. This is how they help control plaque and bad breath. Listerine and Scope are both relatively strong in this sense, but one is definitely stronger than the other - that’s Listerine.

Listerine’s strength comes from a balance between its essential oil blend (eucalyptol, menthol, thymol, and methyl salicylate) and high alcohol content. That hits bacteria hard, but it also leaves behind that “bite” that not everyone loves.

In contrast, Scope takes a lighter approach. It still has some antimicrobial action, but it’s not made to cut through the same stubborn plaque film or support gum health at the same level. It’s mainly designed for breath-freshening.

Plaque and Gum Health Support

Building off that last point, you can see why Listerine is the stronger option for controlling plaque and improving gum health. It sounds great in theory. The problem is, not everyone can commit to twice-daily use because of the burn. This means in reality, results can be hit or miss.

Scope doesn’t do much beyond light cleaning and odor control. It’s worth noting that neither formula actually weakens plaque’s attachment to enamel, so you’re always going to feel like you’re fighting an uphill battle against plaque. That’s what makes LIVFRESH different. More on that in a moment.

Alcohol Level and Sensation While Rinsing

Listerine’s alcohol content is often above 20%, creating that familiar heat. It feels “strong” but can dry the mouth out - something that can actually make plaque issues worse for certain users. It’s not exactly the most enjoyable sensation, either.

Scope has alcohol, too, but the brand typically does a better job masking the flavor to make the burn softer. Still, both options can be uncomfortable for people with dry mouth, orthodontics, implants, or gum tenderness. You might find that a low-alcohol formula is a better fit for you.

Flavor Profile and Aftertaste

Like we touched on a bit already, Scope tends to use sweet, minty flavors - but they fade fast. That’s actually a good thing in our opinion, because you don’t want to go out into the world feeling like you’re breathing fire.

Listerine, on the other hand, is intense to the point that it feels/tastes medicinal. That’s not our personal preference, and it’s probably not yours either. Yes, you know the formula is doing something since it’s so sharp - but again, you need to be able to commit to twice daily use to really harness the power of a mouthwash. This flavor profile can make that commitment tough.

Fresh-Breath Performance

Scope’s entire reputation is built on breath freshening. It works well for masking odors short-term, but controlling odor at the source requires breaking down the compounds created by plaque. Listerine is better at this than Scope, but again, the strength comes with discomfort.

Cost and Where You Can Buy It

There’s not much of a difference between Scope vs Listerine in terms of cost or accessibility. You’ll find these two brands and their products sitting side-by-side one another at your local drugstore, and often around the same price point.

But here’s the thing - you get what you pay for. Neither Scope nor Listerine is doing anything to dramatically improve your oral health. We encourage you to explore more premium oral rinses backed by clinical studies, such as LIVFRESH.

How Does LIVFRESH Mouthwash Compare?

We know you came here to compare Scope vs Listerine - but these aren’t going to do anything groundbreaking for your oral health. Whether you’re looking for the best mouthwash for gum disease or the best mouthwash for plaque, it’s LIVFRESH.

Like our plaque removal toothpaste, our mouthwash is powered by activated edathamil - an ingredient backed by 40 patents and 26 clinical studies. It changes the way plaque sticks to teeth, preventing it from holding its bond so that it can be rinsed/brushed away effortlessly.

This is how it’s able to outperform drugstore brands both in terms of plaque/tartar control and gum health improvements. The best part is it’s a low alcohol formula (0.1%) so you won’t have to fight through the harsh burn, either. The formula is cleaner than other mainstream options as well, with 100% safe ingredients for all ages.

It’s dentist-recommended and clinically validated. Plus, your order is backed by a 30-day satisfaction guarantee. Give LIVFRESH a chance and see what makes it the smart upgrade over options like Listerine and Scope!

Final Words on Listerine vs Scope Mouthwash

We hope this Scope vs Listerine comparison has answered the questions you came here with regarding how they’re different and which is better. Ultimately, they sit in the same category - easily available, affordable, and unfortunately, underwhelming in terms of measurable oral health improvements.

You can weigh other options in our blog, like Therabreath vs Listerine or Listerine vs Crest mouthwash. But whether you’re looking for something better than Listerine vs Scope or want a more clinically proven Therabreath alternative, you can’t go wrong with LIVFRESH.

Don’t just take our word for it, though. Order now and see what a difference the right mouthwash can make in your oral health. Stick with it for 30 days and you’ll be amazed!