The Best Whitening Mouthwashes for a Blindingly Bright Smile

Teeth whitening is a monster-size industry—every year, about $1 billion is spent on procedures just to make our teeth prettier. A study from 2012 investigating the connection between teeth color, spacing, and perceived attractiveness found that darker, yellower teeth (curse all those macchiatos!) were rated notably lower on the attractiveness scale, particularly when participants were judging women. For that reason, in-office and at-home teeth-whitening treatments are big business.

For those with sensitive teeth, mouthwashes with active whitening ingredients like hydrogen peroxide (but without alcohol, which can cause dry mouth and bad bacteria) might be an option worth exploring over trays, strips, or professional procedures. And for everyone else, they could simply be a good addition to your whitening routine. Here, we've rounded up seven whitening mouthwashes—both mainstream and natural—from brands both popular and indie to help you find a product that might work for you.

This effective whitening product uses no traditional bleaching products (no peroxide, no baking soda)—just a combination of natural ingredients like sea salt, coconut, lemon peel, and clove flower. Plus, instead of fluoride, this stuff contains Xylitol, a natural preventer of tooth decay. You'll have to wait six weeks or more to see results, but if you're into nontoxic, non-GMO formulas, it's worth the wait.

This bleaching product may be fast and effective, but it's also alcohol-free, so it won't burn your mouth. Crest's formula boasts a triple action effect that will effectively remove (and prevent more) stubborn stains while protecting your gums and banishing bacteria. Use it twice a day for a month or two and you'll definitely see results.

Another natural alternative, Popwhite's fun purple formula contains enamel-protecting Xylitol, stain-removing silica, and coconut for a glossy, bright effect. The product also contains special, patented color-correcting ingredients to make your teeth look noticeably whiter when used twice a day for two weeks.

Good luck finding mouthwash packaging more adorable than this one by natural brand Yala, which offers a unique blend of virgin coconut oil, essential oils, and Xylitol that works to freshen breath, prevent tooth decay, and promote healthier gums. You have to swish the product in your mouth for 15 minutes every day for whitening effects, but if your jaw doesn't tire easily, have at it.

Another oil-pulling mouthwash comes from Doctor Ginger's, a fluoride-free, peroxide-free, alcohol-free, dye-free, and sugar-free product that has over 50 positive reviews on Amazon. Coconut oil, silica, Xylitol, and natural mint flavor are just a few of the goodies on its all-natural ingredient list.

This gentle, alcohol-free formula will never sting as you swish; and if you're cool with 2% hydrogen peroxide (which is a little higher than most other brands), it's definitely worth a try, especially if you're interested in seeing whitening results in three to four weeks, as opposed to six or eight.

This 100% organic mouthwash is one of the greenest and gentlest on the market: It's free of gluten (yep, we give you gluten-free mouthwash, folks!), alcohol, chlorine bleach, sodium lauryl sulfate, fluoride, pesticides, glycerin, and the list goes on. Instead, the ingredient contains just the good stuff, including aloe vera, food-grade hydrogen peroxide, and essential peppermint oil. With this stuff, you can expect to see whitening effects after six weeks.

May you go forward in your dental beauty journey with these tried-and-true products that are guaranteed to make your smile as bright (or brighter) as the joy that's hopefully behind it.