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Prepare for a fresh, minty mouth.
By Aly Walansky — Written on Apr 22, 2021
A lot of people struggle with bad breath. It can be embarrassing and put an end to a social or romantic interaction quickly. Even worse, bad breath can be a result of the food you eat, infection, smoking, bad dental hygiene, or an underlying disease.
As bacteria is the most common culprit, your best defense against bad breath is keeping your mouth clean. And that means finding the best toothpaste on the market.
For some people, morning breath can linger and persist even after brushing. According to studies, 80 to 85 percent of cases of people with bad breath found the underlying cause to originate in the mouth.
If your bad breath originates in the mouth, it could be from eating foods with garlic or onion, or, in serious cases, it could be a result of cavities, gum disease, dry mouth, or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). In other cases, bad breath may be caused by factors outside of the mouth which could include diabetes, kidney failure, liver failure, peptic ulcer, intestinal blockage, smoking, or postnasal drip.
What is the best toothpaste for bad breath?
The best toothpaste for bad breath would include anything with fluoride and a nice mint or fresh flavor to help make your breath and mouth smell better.
“I typically recommend fluoridated toothpastes with mint flavors for fresh breath, as fluoride is our best defense against tooth-invading bacteria, and the added mint flavor gives a refreshing boost,” says Dr. Heather Kunen, DDS, MS, co-founder of Beam Street. “While I don’t typically recommend fluoride-free toothpastes, there are some nice choices to help freshen breath.”
Another thing to keep in mind? Pay attention to the label. Dr. Jennifer Jablow recommends a non-acidic toothpaste for those with sensitive teeth: “I would try to find a toothpaste that is pH balanced, as anything acidic can cause more sensitivity and create dry mouth for bad breath."
How can I permanently get rid of bad breath?
To get rid of bad breath for goot, you have to invest in products that will help you with that. Or, if products don't help, get checked by your dentist to see if there's an underlying problem for your bad breath.
The best thing you can do in the mean time is use fresh toothpaste, floss regularly, brush your teeth every morning and night, brush your tongue, eat a healthy diet and limit sugary foods, and visit your dentist for regular checkups throughout the year. Other remedies to try include doing a baking soda rinse, drinking plenty of water, drinking milk after you eat, and eating fennel seeds.
To help you freshen up your mouth, here's a list of the best toothpaste for bad breath:
1. intelliWHiTE PRO White Toothpaste
Intelliwhite toothpastes are all pH-balanced, and the power clean has breath control with zinc, which kills bad breath at its source. This toothpaste contains Xylitol, a natural sweetener that has been known to make plaque less adhesive to teeth to enhance your oral hygiene and oral health benefits.
Where to buy: Shopintelliwhite, $19.95
2. hello Hemp Seed Oil + Coconut Oil Extra Freshening Toothpaste
Freshen your breath with this tube of delicious awesomeness. It rocks hemp seed oil, coconut oil, and Yakima Valley spearmint to take moisturizing and freshness to the next level. It contains no peroxide, artificial sweeteners, artificial flavors, dyes or parabens, microbeads, gluten or dairy.
Where to buy: Target, $5.99
3. Kopari Coconut Toothpaste
This natural toothpaste fights plaque without any of the fluoride, sulfates or artificial sweeteners. Kopari’s Coconut Toothpaste uses a natural fluoride alternative to remineralize teeth, whiten enamel, repair and reverse micro-lesions, and reduce hypersensitivity. It also contains coconut oil, a natural antibacterial, to rid the mouth of toxins.
Where to buy: Bluveralane, $12
4. TheraBreath Fresh Breath Toothpaste
This clinical-strength toothpaste provides potent oxygenation to attack bad breath and fluoride helps control plaque buildup, tartar, and cavities. And because it doesn't contain any harsh ingredients, it can even be used to prevent painful canker sores.
Where to buy: Walmart, $7.42
5. CloSYS Fluoride Toothpaste
This potent toothpaste whitens teeth and helps remove stains, including soda, coffee, tea, and wine. It's also gentle on gums, enamel, and dental work. CloSYS Sulfate-Free Fluoride Toothpaste contains the active ingredient sodium fluoride that kills 99 percent of harmful bacteria in 10 seconds.
Where to buy: Walgreens, $10.99
6. Listerine Essential Care Original Gel Fluoride Toothpaste
When used regularly, Listerine Essential Care Original Gel Fluoride Toothpaste removes stains, fights against cavities and tooth decay, and restores enamel, all with a refreshing mint taste. It contains flouride and actively kills millions of germs that cause bad breath.
Where to buy: Walmart, $3.97
7. Colgate Max Fresh Toothpaste with Breath Strips
This toothpaste comes with hundreds of breath strips and provides powerful freshness for long-lasting minty breath. It's sugar-free, contains no gluten, and fights cavities while whitening teeth.
Where to buy: Target, $3.99
8. Lumineux Oral Essentials Fresh Breath Toothpaste
Lumineux is the first oral care product to protect the oral microbiome and neutralize the toxins of bad bacteria. This toothpaste works fast to neutralize odor-causing toxins and stop bad breath at its source. Gentle mint and aloe combined with a hint of Dead Sea salt leave teeth and breath refreshed.
Where to buy: Amazon, check prices and reviews
9. JASON Sea Fresh Toothpaste
This toothpaste brightens and whitens without using harsh chemicals or abrasive ingredients. With a gentle blend of polishers and botanicals like blue-green algae, an antioxidant, it effectively fight stains and strengthen teeth and gums. Plus, the spearmint and parsley extracts make for a great taste.
Where to buy: Amazon, check prices and reviews
10. Desert Essence Natural Tea Tree Oil Toothpaste
Tea tree oil is an ingredient known to discourage the growth of bad bacteria associated with bad breath. This prebiotic plant-based toothpaste is formulated with perilla seed and aloe, provides botanical care for teeth and gums, neutralizes odor-causing bacteria, and freshens breath with a medley of mints.
Where to buy: Amazon, check prices and reviews
11. Tom’s of Maine Ice Wicked Fresh! Fluoride Toothpaste
This natural toothpaste fights cavities and blocks bad breath germs. This is good when you want to keep things natural, but also have a toothpaste that will get the job done. And the licorice root extract stops bad breath from producing odor.
Where to buy: Walmart, $7.95
12. Oxyfresh Maximum Fresh Breath Lemon Mint Toothpaste
Unlike other toothpastes that simply mask bad breath through artificial flavors and ingredients, Oxyfresh uses a non-toxic formula that neutralizes odor-causing compounds. It's naturally flavored with essential oils like fresh lemon and spearmint to give you that kissably fresh feeling.
Where to buy: Amazon, check prices and reviews
13. Philips Sonicare BreathRx Whitening Toothpaste
This purifying blue gel toothpaste works hard to fight bad breath while aiding the prevention of dental decay. It has a clean mint flavor with all the benefits of fluoride, tartar control, and enhanced whitening action.
Where to buy: Amazon, check prices and reviews
14. Twin Lotus Active Charcoal Toothpaste
This toothpaste combines modern science with natural ingredients like activated charcoal to help fight plaque-producing odor and prevent bad breath. The formula includes clove and guava leaf, which naturally counter the accumulation of the root cause of an unhealthy mouth.
Where to buy: Amazon, check prices and reviews
15. Crest Pro-Health Advanced Deep Clean Toothpaste
The minty fresh taste will feel like you just left the dentist’s chair, but this toothpaste will also keep you feeling clean. It's made with patented stannous fluoride and provides clinically proven protection against cavities, plaque and gingivitis, acid erosion, and tooth sensitivity for whole mouth health.
Where to buy: Target, $3.99
16. Marvis Classic Strong Mint Toothpaste
The enticing peppermint flavor whitens and protects teeth, freshens breath, and helps prevent tooth decay, tartar, and plaque. It delivers a long-lasting, delightful flavor with a slight tingling sensation, and comes in a distinctive, display-worthy tube that makes the perfect bathroom accessory.
Where to buy: Amazon, check prices and reviews
17. Crest + Scope Complete Whitening Toothpaste
This toothpaste fights bad breath and kills millions of bad breath germs, while leaving your breath feeling minty and refreshed. It fights cavities and tartar build-up, and gently removes surface stains to whiten teeth.
Where to buy: Target, $2.79
18. Davids Natural Charcoal Toothpaste
Davids Natural Charcoal Toothpaste boasts a deliciously fresh mint flavor and leaves your mouth feeling remarkably clean. It contains pharma-grade coconut charcoal, is fluoride-free and SLS-free, and comes in a recyclable metal tube.
Where to buy: Amazon, check prices and reviews
19. Dr. Sheffield’s Premium Natural Extra Whitening Toothpaste
Peppermint will freshen your breath, whiten your teeth, and reduce plaque. Even better, this toothpaste has no fluoride, synthetic detergents, synthetic foaming agents, artificial preservatives or flavors, GMOs, or animal by-products.
Where to buy: Walgreens, $4.99
20. hello CBD Tea Tree Oil Fluoride Toothpaste
Hello's CBD Tea Tree Oil Fluoride Toothpaste formula is not only vegan, but it includes hemp oil, which is thoughtfully sourced from hemp grown in the USA. It cleans up tooth stains, helps curb bad breath, and prevent cavities.
Where to buy: Ulta, $12.99
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Aly Walansky is a NY-based lifestyles writer who focuses on health, wellness, and relationships. Her work appears in dozens of digital and print publications regularly. Visit her on Twitter or email her.
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