Yes, Listerine helps with halitosis (bad breath) by killing odor-causing bacteria, but it's part of a broader oral hygiene routine; regular brushing, flossing, and tongue cleaning are essential, and alcohol-based versions might dry your mouth, potentially worsening issues, so alcohol-free options are often recommended for long-term use. Listerine targets germs missed by brushing, offering fresh breath, but consistent cleaning removes the root cause.
Bacteria left alone builds on itself and intensifies embarrassing odors. So a twice-daily routine of brushing, flossing, and rinsing with an antiseptic mouthwash like LISTERINE® will prevent most forms of bad breath. Make sure to brush your tongue, too, if you're still experiencing bad breath after brushing.
Listerine Antiseptic Mouthwash is well-known for its powerful germ-killing ability. This product effectively combats plaque and bad breath, making it a staple in many oral care routines. It reaches areas that may be missed by brushing, enhancing overall mouth cleanliness.
Lifestyle and home remedies
Mouthwash is safe to use during pregnancy as long as you're not swallowing it (which you're not supposed to do, anyway). Out of an abundance of caution, skip alcohol-based mouthwashes.
However, the National Health Service (NHS) recommends avoiding mouthwash right after brushing, since this may wash away the fluoride from your toothpaste. Instead, the NHS recommends using mouthwash at a different time of day.
Are TheraBreath products suitable for use when pregnant or breastfeeding? Yes. TheraBreath is safe for use if you are pregnant or breatfeeding. TheraBreath Fresh Breath Oral Rinses do not contain alcohol.
Mouth infections can cause bad breath. However, if your dentist has ruled out other causes and you brush and floss every day, your bad breath could be the result of another problem, such as a sinus condition, gastric reflux, diabetes, liver or kidney disease. In this case, see your healthcare provider.
Poor oral health care
Without correct and regular brushing and flossing, and routine dental exams, food stays in the mouth. This is a breeding ground for bacteria. Food that collects on the teeth, gums, and tongue may rot. This causes an unpleasant odor and taste in the mouth.
Treatment Options for Rotten Tooth Smell
Here are some common treatments: Dental Cleaning: A professional dental cleaning can remove plaque and tartar buildup, reducing bad breath. Fillings: Fillings are used to repair cavities and restore the tooth's function.
Fennel seeds are chewed by the people of India to deal with bad breath. It is considered beneficial for teeth and is known to clean teeth7. You can chew some fennel seeds. Also, you can gargle with warm fennel water.
Water will naturally wash away food particles, bacteria, and other odour-causing cells. Since bacteria survive off the leftover food in your mouth— simply rinsing after a meal will aid in fighting bad breath. Try drinking around two litres of water each day.
The ADA Council on Scientific Affairs Acceptance of TheraBreath Fresh Breath Oral Rinse is based on its finding that the product is safe and has shown efficacy in helping to reduce bad breath, when used as directed.
The odors commonly associated with bad breath include hydrogen sulfide, a gas produced by the bacteria that live in plaque, which smells like rotten eggs. Methyl mercaptan is caused by bacteria found near the gag reflex and in the gums and is often described as smelling like feces.
By including mouthwash in your dental hygiene routine, you're killing the bad bacteria and getting rid of the good stuff, too. Needless to say, this isn't an ideal solution!
Listerine is a popular choice because it is a recognised household name. It contains chlorhexidine which helps to neutralise the bacteria that causes bad breath.
Our inability to smell our own breath, or olfactory blindness, is primarily due to our brain's efficiency in filtering out familiar stimuli to focus on new or changing environments.
Natural Remedies for Bad Breath
Deficiency of B vitamins and zinc can cause bad breath. Some of the other vitamins that can help fight off bad breath are vitamin C and vitamin D.
Pop a Sugar-Free Mint
Sugar-free mints can be used to freshen your breath before important business meetings. They might not work as a bad breath cure, but they will mask the odour and make your breath temporarily minty fresh. Plus, since mints are compact, they're easy to fit in your pocket.
Halitosis is caused by sulphur-producing bacteria in the tongue and throat. The major causes include a dry mouth caused by certain foods, smoking, poor oral hygiene and a coated tongue.
Treating the underlying condition is the only halitosis cure. Often, getting fresher breath is as simple as improving your oral hygiene routine. But sometimes, conditions unrelated to your oral health are to blame. In that case, finding the right treatment can help.
TheraBreath controversies involve a 2023 product recall for yeast contamination in a kids' formula, scrutiny over its founder Dr. Katz's endorsements by the NAD for not clearly disclosing his role, and discussions about ingredients like sodium chlorite in adult formulas, raising questions about potential risks and the brand's claims versus scientific efficacy compared to other rinses like Listerine, according to FDA, BBB, and dental sources.
One thing to consider with Corsodyl is that it isn't suitable for people with heavily-stained teeth due to plaque, as it will stick to the plaque. If you have severe plaque staining, seeing a hygienist to have this removed before you start using your mouthwash will do your mouth the world of good.
Neither TheraBreath nor Listerine is universally "better"; they target different needs: Listerine offers strong, broad antiseptic action for plaque/gingivitis with essential oils but contains alcohol and is acidic, while TheraBreath is alcohol-free, pH-balanced, and excels at neutralizing bad breath (halitosis) with oxygenating ingredients, often favored for sensitive mouths, though some versions lack significant antibacterial power against plaque. Choose Listerine for strong surface cleaning, TheraBreath for gentle, persistent bad breath control and sensitivity.