mouthwash

American  

[mouth-wawsh, -wosh] / ˈmaʊθˌwɔʃ, -ˌwɒʃ /

noun

• mouthwashes
  plural

1. a solution, often containing antiseptic, astringent, and breath-sweetening agents, used for cleansing the mouth and teeth, and for gargling.

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mouthwash British  

/ ˈmaʊθˌwɒʃ /

noun

1. a medicated aqueous solution, used for gargling and for cleansing the mouth

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• mouthwashes
  plural

Etymology

Origin of mouthwash

First recorded in 1830–40; mouth + wash

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

mouthwash mouthwashes

But they bought more chewing gum, mouthwash and hair dyes - products that counter common GLP-1 side effects like thinning hair and bad breath.

From BBC ● Jul. 7, 2026

An opinion piece published Wednesday by La Vanguardia newspaper—owned by a close friend of Isak—said Jonathan’s arrest leaves “a bitter taste in the mouth that no toothpaste or mouthwash can wash away.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 20, 2026

The study, published in the Journal of Herbal Medicine, reports that garlic-based mouthwash may produce more discomfort than chlorhexidine but appears to provide longer-lasting residual activity.

From Science Daily ● Dec. 8, 2025

All teeth yellow with time, and no amount of brushing and mouthwash can fix that—you’d have to have veneers or get bleach treatments, common choices for many Americans, particularly those in the public eye.

From Slate ● Jul. 15, 2025

My sneakers squeaked as I wove through the sea of lotions, mouthwash, and nail polish on the floor.

From "The Darkest Minds" by Alexandra Bracken

"Different antimicrobial mouthwashes, whether available over-the-counter or on prescription, can be used in the management of gingivitis, dental caries, periodontal diseases, halitosis, etc."

From Science Daily ● Dec. 8, 2025

Xylitol in particular has been shown to be effective, and can be found in mouthwashes, toothpastes and sugar-free gums.

From Seattle Times ● Nov. 21, 2022

"More research is needed to understand whether the use of mouthwashes can impact viral transmission, exposure, viral entry, viral load and ultimately affect meaningful clinical outcomes."

From Salon ● Sep. 29, 2021

The trial, which is not yet accepting participants, will test four mouthwashes, including CloSys, Oral-B Mouth Sore, Crest Pro-Health Multi-Protection and Listerine.

From Washington Post ● Oct. 22, 2020

But generally, if you’re getting regular cleanings in-office and perhaps the occasional whitening treatment, at-home toothpastes, gels, and mouthwashes can be very helpful for maintaining your pearly whites.

From Slate ● Oct. 15, 2018