People with bad breath are so intent on getting rid of it that they want to be sure they're getting the best mouthwash. They may be on the right track - the right mouth rinse will certainly help to reduce the problem. If you have bad breath, however, you should start by establishing habits of excellent oral hygiene.

Brush your teeth after eating so that food particles don't remain in the mouth to provide food for bacteria. Even the best mouthwash will not work well if there is heavy plaque on the teeth and food particles lodged in cracks and crevices. Be sure that you get into the tight spaces between the teeth and the cheeks, and around the back of the molars. If your mouth is clean, the effect of mouthwashes will be greater.

Floss at least once a day, and visit the dentist regularly to have your teeth cleaned and your gums assessed for gum disease. It's also useful to get confirmation of bad breath from an unbiased professional - many people believe they have bad breath when they actually don't! If you don't have a problem to begin with, there's no need to search for the best mouthwash.

Another trouble spot is the tongue, and this is where the effect of mouthwashes can be quite dramatic. This is actually the area where most of the odor causing bacteria are located. Many people advocate brushing or scraping the tongue when you brush your teeth to physically remove many of these objectionable inhabitants of the mouth. The best mouthwash will contain an ingredient that kills off the odor producing bacteria that remain on the tongue when the mouth is thoroughly clean.

Chlorhexidine is very effective at killing the unwanted bacteria in the mouth, and any mouthwash containing this antibacterial will be a good choice. Other antibacterial formulations are being investigated, in the search for the best mouthwash. Olive oil and essential oils are being studied, and a whole industry has grown up around natural remedies. Research in this field aims to optimize the effect of mouthwashes designed to kill oral bacteria without using drugs and chemicals. Some of these products are already available commercially and some claim that they are very effective.

If you've tried the over-the-counter bad breath remedies and you're still searching for the best mouthwash, take a look at the alternatives available from natural healers.