10 Best Whitening Mouthwashes, According to Dentists

Colgate's Optic White mouthwash puts a grin on our face for many reasons. A GH Beauty Award winner, the line's whitening toothpaste noticeably brightened teeth. Its mouthwash counterpart contains the same bleaching active hydrogen peroxide that can remove years of yellow stains in only four weeks of twice-daily use, as confirmed by our beauty experts' analysis of the toothpaste. Dr. Wei seconds this pick, as do several Amazon shoppers: "Takes my morning tea stains off with a little brushing from my electric toothbrush." It's also alcohol-free, meaning it won't feel drying or irritating, per. Dr. Wei.

Amazon brands tend to fly under the radar, but shoppers caught onto its $6 whitening mouthwash that boasts 4.3 out of five stars. Combining fluoride and hydrogen peroxide, the formula claims to protect against cavities while visibly whitening teeth. Many reviewers enjoyed its "cool, minty" flavor. Foaming up nicely, they added it gave teeth a "squeaky clean" feeling compared to their regular mouthwash.

Whiten teeth and fight cavities with each rinse. The ACT mouthwash is made with fluoride, which Dr. Wei explains "helps to protect against tooth decay and cavities, and it can also help to whiten teeth." One GH editor found the brand's offerings gentle on their sensitive gums. Other Amazon reviewers also found it refreshing. "[It] has no alcohol, which is a plus. Just use a small amount because it expands in a foaming action to help whiten your teeth."

Up the wattage a tad more with this extra whitening mouthwash recommended by Dr. Becker. Hydrogen peroxide can help lift surface stains while phosphoric acid aims to neutralize pH, which can help keep your mouth healthy and free from bacteria, per Dr. Wei. With active ingredient fluoride, the Crest mouthwash focuses on strengthening the enamel for those who prefer even more whitening. Another formula free of alcohol, it's made to gently freshen breath.

When we tested the best teeth whitening strips, this line sailed to the top as our Beauty Lab's gold standard for brightening. Boasting rapid results, Crest 3D whitestrips lightened teeth a noticeable two to four shades after 20 days of daily use, according to Lab evaluations. Similarly, the mouthwash is formulated with hydrogen peroxide to effectively brighten teeth and hydrating glycerin, so as not to leave teeth feeling stripped.

Stave off as much teeth scraping as possible at the dentist. Specially formulated to target plaque buildup, the Plax mouthwash leaves cleaner feeling teeth, as affirmed by Dr. Wei. Though, it's worth noting that alcohol is the main ingredient on this list, so it may cause irritation to sensitive teeth or gums. "It made my teeth feel like they were taking a bath almost," one Amazon customer wrote. "My breath now stays fresher longer, brushing seems easier and my mouth feels cleaner."

Just because you have sensitive teeth doesn't mean you have to slack on whitening. The hydrogen peroxide-free Lumineux mouthwash contains sage oil, coconut oil and lemon peel oil. Such natural ingredients can "help to clean and whiten teeth without harsh chemicals," says Dr. Wei. What's more, one shopper used this mouthwash after developing an intolerance to a toothpaste and found it helped clear the reaction.

Like a primer for teeth, SuperSmile's pre-rinse mouthwash preps teeth for whitening toothpaste so you can attain the pearliest of whites. Formulated with hydrogen peroxide, baking soda and malic acid, it's designed to remove stains and enhance whitening. The brand recommends rinsing twice daily for 30 seconds to clean hard-to-reach places. Take note: Some reviewers recommended shaking the bottle first to ensure the best taste.

Get a burst of minty freshness sans sting. Appreciated by a GH staffer and online shoppers (TikTok, included), the brand earns praise for its gentle, breath-freshening formulas. "TheraBreath whitening mouthwash makes my mouth feel fresh from the dentist office clean, and it does help to keep my teeth looking whiter as compared to not using it," one satisfied shopper wrote.

Uniquely designed with a pump that's "super easy to use," per online reviews, the Twice mouthwash sprays out as a gel. Dentists from our whitening toothpaste guide appreciated Twice for its gentle whitening formulas. In lieu of hydrogen peroxide and alcohol, it opts for natural ingredients like peppermint oil, which had several online reviewers raving about the taste. "The strong mint taste is refreshing and makes each use a pleasant experience," one person wrote online.