When shopping for mouthwash, opt for products that are free of sodium lauryl sulfate and color additives. Talk to your dentist and do your research to see if fluoride mouthwash is right for you. If you’re up for it, try using mouthwash tablets to save water, plastic, and emissions. Our favorite mouthwashes are certified by EWG (which ensures the product is free from chemicals of concern) and PETA or Leaping Bunny (which ensure no animal testing was performed using the product). 

Ingredients

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate

Mouthwash is made of antibacterial ingredients and flavor enhancers to mask smelly breath and clean between our teeth. One of the more controversial ingredients it may contain is alcohol. If you assume that alcohol is included to kill the bacteria that causes bad breath, you’d be mistaken. The job of alcohol in mouthwash is to disperse other ingredients, like menthol, that create the minty-fresh aroma we crave. 

A common alcohol that is used in mouthwash is sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) because it enables that bubbly sensation that so many enjoy when using mouthwash. While studies have disproved the idea that SLS is a menace to human health, they still concede that it can harm certain forms of aquatic life when we spit it down the drain. Moderate doses of SLS can be less toxic to marine life, but it’s probably best to avoid it altogether if you can. 

Fluoride 

While fluoride has been touted for its ability to prevent dental cavities, it has sparked concern, particularly about the effects of overexposure. Too much fluoride can burn cell tissues, impede nerve and cardiac function, and cause cell poisoning. Children under the age of 6 are most prone to acute fluoride toxicity, so keep your kids away from mouthwashes with fluoride to prevent unnecessary damage. (**We’re not dental hygienists and it’s best to get an expert opinion on the dental health side of things. We’re just here to discuss what sustainability science tells us.**) 

While all of this sounds rather concerning, if you keep to the recommended dose of mouthwash, you most likely won’t have negative side effects from fluoride. It’s important to keep in mind that mouthwash isn’t the only place we come in contact with fluoride. It’s also in toothpastes and many community water supplies, so be sure to monitor your exposure to fluoride and decide if it’s necessary to include it in your mouthwash. 

Color Additives

The reason your mouthwash might be blue vs. green vs. yellow depends on the color additives used in the product. Common mouthwashes typically use dyes such as FD&C Green No. 3, D&C Yellow No. 10, and FD&C Blue No. 1. According to the FDA, these are all “certifiable” color additives, which means they are primarily derived from petroleum and coal. Aside from the environmental toll – and the unfortunate reminder that our reliance on fossil fuels comes in all shapes and sizes – these color additives have also been linked to teeth staining. 

Water

One of the main ingredients in mouthwash is water. Water is an important resource to conserve, but in this case, we’re paying attention to water use because it contributes significantly to mouthwash’s carbon footprint. For starters, cleaning and moving water requires energy; so the more water used, the more energy needed…and the higher the emissions. 

Plus, water is heavy! Transporting a bottle of mouthwash is going to have a higher environmental toll because emissions will be greater if the product weighs more. This is one reason why concentrated formulas and tablets are exciting innovations. Since these options don’t contain water, they can have much lower transportation-related emissions. 

Packaging

If you buy traditional liquid mouthwash, it’ll probably come in a plastic bottle. Some major brands are taking steps to improve their packaging options by offering post-consumer recycled plastic. Using recycled plastic can cut emissions by as much as 71%, so look out for recycled materials in your mouthwash packaging to reduce its environmental impact.

Certifications

Here are some certifications to look for when shopping this category.

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