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Most families spend real thought choosing toothpaste, then grab whatever mouthwash is on sale. Conventional formulas can carry a surprisingly long ingredient list: artificial dyes, synthetic flavors, alcohol at concentrations that burn kids' mouths, and sweeteners like saccharin that EWG Skin Deep® flags as a concern. This roundup covers four mouthwashes that rate LOW HAZARD on EWG's Skin Deep® database — all alcohol-free, all with cleaner ingredient profiles your whole family can use.

Upgrading your full oral care routine? See our companion guide to the best non-toxic toothpaste brands rated by EWG Skin Deep.

What EWG Skin Deep Flags in Mouthwash

EWG's Skin Deep® database rates oral rinse ingredients on a 1–10 hazard scale. Products scoring 1–2 fall in the low-hazard range. The ingredients EWG flags most often in conventional mouthwash include:

  • Alcohol (ethanol at 15–27%): Many conventional mouthwashes rely on high-concentration alcohol for antimicrobial action. EWG rates it as a moderate concern at these concentrations in oral rinses, and it causes significant burning for kids.
  • Artificial dyes (FD&C Blue No. 1, Yellow No. 5): Common colorants in blue and green mouthwashes. EWG rates some synthetic dyes as moderate hazard due to contamination and sensitization concerns.
  • Saccharin: A common sweetener in conventional mouthwash that EWG rates as a moderate concern. Most top-rated options use xylitol instead.
  • Synthetic fragrance ("flavor"): Listed simply as "flavor" on mouthwash labels, this can conceal dozens of undisclosed compounds. EWG flags synthetic flavor complexes as a potential concern for sensitization.
  • Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS): Occasionally found in combination oral rinses; EWG rates it as a low-to-moderate irritant.

Products in the LOW HAZARD range on EWG Skin Deep have been assessed against these concerns. The four mouthwashes below all rate LOW HAZARD. EWG ratings are not safety certifications and do not constitute medical or dental advice.

Want to understand EWG's rating system in depth? Our guide explains EWG VERIFIED® vs. Skin Deep scores and what each means.

Best Non-Toxic Mouthwash Picks Rated by EWG Skin Deep

1. Oxyfresh Premium Pro Formula Fresh Mint Mouthwash

Oxyfresh is a dentist-trusted oral care brand known for its zinc-based formulas that neutralize volatile sulfur compounds — the primary cause of bad breath. The Premium Pro Formula Fresh Mint Mouthwash rates LOW HAZARD on EWG Skin Deep® (Skin Deep ID: 4862816). The formula is alcohol-free, fluoride-free, and dye-free. Key active ingredients are zinc acetate and stabilized chlorine dioxide, which work together to neutralize odor at the source rather than masking it. Xylitol handles sweetening — no saccharin or artificial sweeteners. Mild fresh mint flavor that works well for the whole family, including kids sensitive to the burn of conventional rinses.

EWG Status: Rates LOW HAZARD on EWG Skin Deep® (ID: 4862816)
Active Agents: Zinc acetate, stabilized chlorine dioxide
Sweetener: Xylitol
Alcohol: None
Key Free-Froms: Dye-free, fluoride-free, alcohol-free, paraben-free
Best For: Families wanting a zinc-based breath-neutralizing rinse with clean ingredient disclosure and dentist-trusted credentials

Oxyfresh Premium Pro Formula Fresh Mint Mouthwash — Buy on Amazon ↗

2. TheraBreath Fresh Breath Oral Rinse, Mild Mint

TheraBreath is one of the best-known dentist-developed mouthwash brands, and the Fresh Breath Oral Rinse in Mild Mint is its flagship product. It rates LOW HAZARD on EWG Skin Deep® (Skin Deep ID: 973847). The formula uses OXYD-8, a stabilized chlorine dioxide compound, to neutralize odor-causing sulfur compounds at the source rather than masking them with alcohol or heavy fragrance. Alcohol-free, no artificial dyes, and certified kosher, vegan, and gluten-free. The 2-pack, 16 fl oz format is the primary Amazon listing and offers solid value for a twice-daily routine.

One important distinction to keep in mind: TheraBreath makes whitening and specialty variants that carry MODERATE HAZARD ratings on EWG Skin Deep. Only the Fresh Breath Oral Rinse, Mild Mint (ASIN B001ET76AI) carries the LOW HAZARD rating linked below.

EWG Status: Rates LOW HAZARD on EWG Skin Deep®
Active Ingredient: OXYD-8 (stabilized chlorine dioxide)
Alcohol: None
Key Free-Froms: Artificial dye-free, SLS-free; certified kosher, vegan, gluten-free
Best For: Brand-name recognition, strong breath freshening, family-sized value packs

TheraBreath Fresh Breath Oral Rinse, Mild Mint (2-Pack) — Buy on Amazon ↗

3. CloSYS Ultra Sensitive Mouthwash

CloSYS is a dentist-trusted brand whose oral rinses are built around stabilized chlorine dioxide — the same active mechanism that TheraBreath uses, here in a completely unflavored base formula. The Ultra Sensitive formula is alcohol-free and comes with an optional flavor-control dropper, so readers who react to mint or artificial flavoring can dial down the taste or skip it entirely. The CloSYS formula is rated LOW HAZARD on EWG Skin Deep®. It's a strong pick for anyone who wants meaningful breath freshening without any mint, artificial dye, alcohol, or fluoride in the picture.

EWG Status: Rated LOW HAZARD on EWG Skin Deep®
Active Ingredient: Stabilized chlorine dioxide
Alcohol: None
Key Free-Froms: Alcohol-free, dye-free, fluoride-free; optional flavor control dropper included
Best For: Readers with sensitivity to mint or artificial flavoring; 32 oz format offers good value for daily use

CloSYS Ultra Sensitive Mouthwash, 32 Oz — Buy on Amazon ↗

4. Tom's of Maine Wicked Fresh! Mouthwash, Cool Mountain Mint

Tom's of Maine is the most recognized name in natural personal care at the drugstore level, and the Wicked Fresh! line is the brand's flagship non-toxic rinse. The Cool Mountain Mint variant is alcohol-free, free of artificial dyes and sweeteners, and uses xylitol and zinc citrate for freshening. The ingredient list is short and fully disclosed — a transparency practice that EWG Skin Deep® credits in its ratings. The Cool Mountain Mint formula rates LOW HAZARD on EWG Skin Deep®. Wide distribution across Target, Whole Foods, Amazon, and most major pharmacies makes this the easiest pick to find in store as well.

One distinction worth noting: Tom's Wicked Fresh! comes in two scent variants with very different EWG profiles. The Cool Mountain Mint formula rates LOW HAZARD; the Cool Mountain Mist variant carries a MODERATE HAZARD rating on EWG Skin Deep. This guide links to and describes only the Mint formula (ASIN B0041Y4R7S).

EWG Status: Rates LOW HAZARD on EWG Skin Deep® (Cool Mountain Mint variant only)
Sweetener: Xylitol
Alcohol: None
Key Free-Froms: Artificial preservative-free, artificial sweetener-free, artificial dye-free
Best For: Trusted natural brand, accessible price point, widespread retail availability

Tom's of Maine Wicked Fresh! Mouthwash, Cool Mountain Mint — Buy on Amazon ↗

A Note on Kids and Fluoride Mouthwash

Parents searching for non-toxic mouthwash often also look for a kids-specific fluoride rinse. A quick clarification on age guidelines: the American Dental Association advises against fluoride mouth rinses for children under age 6 because young children are more likely to swallow mouthwash rather than spit it, and excess fluoride ingestion is a concern at that age. None of the four mouthwashes in this guide contain fluoride, which makes them appropriate for a wider age range. For older children who have learned to spit reliably, a separate kids fluoride rinse may be worth discussing with your child's dentist. That is a dental health decision to make with a professional, not solely an ingredient question.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is alcohol-free mouthwash as effective as alcohol-based mouthwash?
For most people and most purposes, yes. Alcohol in mouthwash functions as a solvent and antimicrobial carrier, but the primary antigingivitis and breath-freshening agents are separate compounds: CPC, stabilized chlorine dioxide, essential oils, or xylitol. Studies comparing alcohol-free and alcohol-containing rinses show comparable results for breath freshening and gingival health in most populations. People with dry mouth, children, and those recovering from oral surgery are typically advised to use alcohol-free formulas specifically.

Q: What does "LOW HAZARD on EWG Skin Deep" mean for a mouthwash?
EWG's Skin Deep® database rates personal care product ingredients on a 1–10 hazard scale based on ingredient toxicity data, allergy concerns, and ingredient disclosure levels. A LOW HAZARD rating means EWG's assessed hazard score for the product falls in the 0–2 range. This reflects the ingredient data available to EWG at the time of rating; it is not a safety guarantee and does not replace professional dental or medical advice.

Q: Do any of these mouthwashes actually prevent gingivitis?
An antigingivitis claim requires an active ingredient recognized by the FDA for that purpose, most commonly cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) or essential oils. All four mouthwashes in this guide are positioned primarily for breath freshening and general oral hygiene support rather than clinical antigingivitis treatment. Oxyfresh uses zinc acetate and stabilized chlorine dioxide to neutralize odor compounds; TheraBreath and CloSYS both use stabilized chlorine dioxide; Tom's Wicked Fresh uses xylitol and zinc citrate. For clinical antigingivitis efficacy, look for a product with an ADA Seal of Acceptance alongside a low-hazard EWG rating, and discuss options with your dentist.

Looking for more EWG Skin Deep-rated personal care picks? See our guide to the best non-toxic deodorants top-rated by EWG or browse non-toxic face wash options rated by EWG Skin Deep.