Mouthwashes come in a variety of colors, each with their own intended purpose and benefits. The color of a mouthwash is an indicator of its ingredients and what it is formulated to do. Understanding what the different colors represent can help you choose the right mouthwash for your needs.
Blue Mouthwashes
Blue mouthwashes are formulated to be antiseptic and kill germs in the mouth. The active ingredient is often cetylpyridinium chloride, which has antibacterial and anti-plaque properties. Other ingredients may include:
- Alcohol – helps kill bacteria
- Menthol – provides a cooling sensation
- Eucalyptol – freshens breath
Popular blue mouthwashes include Scope, Act, and Cepacol. The vibrant blue color comes from food coloring agents. In addition to having antibacterial properties, blue mouthwashes can:
- Freshen breath – ingredients like menthol and eucalyptol mask odors
- Prevent gingivitis – killing bacteria helps prevent gum inflammation
- Reduce plaque – ingredients disrupt bacterial membranes and prevent plaque buildup
Blue mouthwashes provide general oral hygiene benefits and are a good choice for people looking for daily freshening and preventative care.
Green Mouthwashes
Green mouthwashes get their color from natural chlorophyll, which also gives plants their green pigment. They are marketed as being “natural” and generally contain fewer synthetic ingredients than other mouthwashes.
Common ingredients in green mouthwashes include:
- Aloe vera – soothes irritation
- Baking soda – deodorizes and balances pH
- Essential oils – provide antibacterial effects and freshen breath
- Herbal extracts – have cleansing and soothing properties
Popular green mouthwashes are Tom’s of Maine antiplaque and antigingivitis rinse and Jason Healthy Mouth anti-cavity mouthwash. Benefits of green mouthwashes include:
- Fighting bad breath – essential oils and chlorophyll neutralize odors
- Gentle formula – safe for everyday use and often alcohol-free
- Reducing plaque and gingivitis – herbal extracts inhibit bacterial growth
Green mouthwashes appeal to people looking for a natural product. They offer more moderate cleansing for those who find typical mouthwashes too harsh.
Purple Mouthwashes
Purple is the least common mouthwash color. Those that are purple often contain purple dye along with:
- Sodium fluoride – helps strengthen enamel and prevent cavities
- Cetylpyridinium chloride – antiseptic agent that kills bacteria
- Essential oils – mask bad breath and provide antibacterial effects
Popular purple mouthwashes are Equate fluoride antiseptic rinse and Up&Up fluoride rinse. The benefits of purple mouthwashes include:
- Fighting cavities – fluoride strengthens enamel and prevents decay
- Killing bacteria – antiseptic ingredients reduce plaque and gingivitis
- Neutralizing odors – essential oils provide fresher breath
The purple color is eye-catching, while the sodium fluoride offers protective benefits. Purple mouthwashes appeal to those concerned about preventing cavities and tooth decay.
Yellow Mouthwashes
Yellow mouthwashes contain ingredients that help whiten teeth and remove surface stains. Common active ingredients are hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. These release oxygen to lift and lighten stains. Other ingredients may include:
- Sodium citrate – helps break up plaque
- Sodium hydroxide – helps neutralize acid and whiten teeth
- Essential oils – mask odors causing bad breath
- Flavors – give a pleasant taste
Popular yellow mouthwashes are Listerine Whitening rinse and Colgate Optic White. Benefits of using a yellow mouthwash include:
- Removing surface stains – peroxides lift coffee, tea, and tobacco stains
- Whitening teeth – ingredients oxidize molecules causing discoloration
- Killing bacteria – antiseptic effects reduce plaque and gingivitis
- Fresh breath – essential oils replace bad odors
Yellow mouthwashes appeal to those seeking whiter, brighter teeth and fresher breath. The vivid golden color also indicates the presence of whitening agents.
Red And Brown Mouthwashes
Red or brown mouthwashes get their color from natural ingredients such as cinnamon or clove oil. They provide general oral care with an emphasis on fighting bad breath. Typical ingredients include:
- Cinnamon oil or clove oil – have antibacterial and breath freshening properties
- Baking soda – deodorizes the mouth
- Essential oils – mask odors and inhibit bacteria
- Herbal extracts – additional cleansing and antibacterial effects
- Hydrogen peroxide or zinc – helps reduce volatile sulfur compounds that cause bad breath
Popular red and brown mouthwashes are TheraBreath, CloSYS, and SmartMouth. Benefits include:
- Eliminating bad breath – powerful combination to neutralize odors
- Reducing bacteria – antiseptic ingredients lower levels of odor-causing bacteria
- Cleansing the mouth – baking soda and herbal extracts remove debris
- Long lasting – some can provide 12-24 hours of protection against bad breath
Red and brown mouthwashes contain natural ingredients that target bad breath. The rich, vibrant colors indicate their strength and potency.
Clear Mouthwashes
Clear mouthwashes do not contain any colorant. They offer more specialized benefits rather than general oral hygiene. Some clear mouthwashes are formulated to:
- Treat gum disease – contain antibacterial ingredients to reduce inflammation and swelling
- Moisten the mouth – help with dry mouth using lubricants and soothing agents
- Avoid tooth decay – use high concentration fluoride rinses to strengthen enamel
- Heal mouth sores – contain numbing agents and anti-inflammatories
Popular specialized clear mouthwashes are Biotene, ACT Dry Mouth, Listerine Zero, and ACT Restoring. Benefits include:
- Targeting specific issues – more focused on relieving a particular condition
- High impact ingredients – higher concentrations of key actives
- Soothing formulas – agents to relieve pain and discomfort from conditions like canker sores
- Low side effects – generally less harsh and lower risk of unwanted effects
Clear mouthwashes provide targeted relief for those with specific oral health concerns. The lack of color reflects their more specialized approach.
Conclusion
Mouthwashes come in a rainbow of colors, each linked to particular effects. While formulas vary between brands, the color generally signifies:
- Blue – kills germs
- Green – natural and gentle
- Purple – strengthens enamel
- Yellow – whitens teeth
- Red/Brown – freshens breath
- Clear – addresses specific issues
When choosing a mouthwash, consider your main oral health goals. Then select a color-coded formula designed to provide the benefits you need most. With the array of mouthwashes on the market, you can easily find one that is perfect for your specific needs and preferences.
| Mouthwash Color | Main Ingredients | Key Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Blue | Cetylpyridinium chloride, alcohol, menthol, eucalyptol | Kills germs, freshens breath, prevents gingivitis and plaque |
| Green | Chlorophyll, aloe vera, baking soda, essential oils, herbal extracts | Fights bad breath, gentle daily use, reduces plaque and gingivitis |
| Purple | Sodium fluoride, cetylpyridinium chloride, essential oils | Strengthens enamel, kills bacteria, neutralizes odors |
| Yellow | Hydrogen peroxide, sodium citrate, sodium hydroxide, essential oils | Removes stains, whitens teeth, kills bacteria, freshens breath |
| Red/Brown | Cinnamon oil, clove oil, baking soda, essential oils, herbal extracts, hydrogen peroxide, zinc | Eliminates bad breath, reduces bacteria, cleanses mouth |
| Clear | Antibacterials, fluoride, numbing agents, anti-inflammatories, lubricants | Treats specific issues like gum disease, dry mouth, tooth decay, mouth sores |
In addition to color, also consider factors like taste, alcohol and fluoride content, ADA seal of approval, and sensitivity. Reading reviews can help determine how well a product works for other users with needs similar to your own.
A mouthwash is a useful supplement to brushing and flossing that provides extra protection and freshening. Taking a few moments to swish daily can make a big difference in your oral health. So open wide and let the colors clean!