Anyone can have bad breath
Ever had that awkward moment where you can see someone leaning back while you’re talking? Bad breath is incredibly common and, most of the time, it’s coming from your mouth not your stomach.
Around 80-90% of bad breath starts in the oral cavity. One of the biggest culprits is your tongue, especially towards the back where bacteria, dead cells and tiny bits of food collect. These bacteria break down proteins and release smelly gases called volatile sulphur compounds.
That’s the smell. And it explains why brushing your teeth alone doesn’t always fix our bad breath.
Your morning coffee, your evening glass of wine and that garlic pasta aren't helping
Your mouth is naturally full of bacteria. That’s normal. The problem starts when conditions make it easier for odour-producing bacteria to thrive.
Sleeping reduces saliva flow - hello, morning breath! A dry mouth gives bacteria an opportunity to break down leftover food. Coffee, alcohol, smoking, garlic, onions and certain high-protein foods can make things worse too.
Add busy days, constant snacking, not enough water and occasionally forgetting to clean your tongue, and suddenly that mint you had 20 minutes ago isn't doing much.
Fresh breath isn’t as simple as a mint gum. It's about controlling what's producing the smell.
Not all mouthwashes are the same - What’s actually in the bottles on the supermarket shelf
Walk down the oral-care aisle and most bottles look fairly similar. What’s inside can work very differently.
Essential-oil mouthwashes products use ingredients like eucalyptol, thymol, menthol and methyl salicylate to disrupt microbes, reduce plaque and bad-breath bacteria. They work well, but some formulations may contain alcohol and can feel quite intense or irritating for sensitive mouths.
CPC mouthwashes use cetylpyridinium chloride which damages microbial membranes and helps control plaque and bad breath. It’s effective for everyday oral care, although some formulations may cause temporary teeth staining or taste changes.
Chlorhexidine found in medicated mouthwashes, is a powerful antibacterial treatment particularly useful for gum problems. The trade-off is that it’s generally better suited to short-term use, as continued use can stain teeth, alter taste or irritate the mouth.
Zinc-containing mouthwashes work differently again. It binds to the sulphur compounds responsible for bad breath, helping neutralise the odour.
Ultrapure® Mouthwash uses a different approach. Its 99.99% pure HOCl provides broad antimicrobial action against bacteria, fungi and viruses, without alcohol or chlorhexidine, making it suitable for everyday microbial care.
How Ultrapure® Mouthwash works
It works through oxidation. HOCl rapidly reacts with microbes, damaging the structures they need to survive. So instead of simply making your mouth smell minty or neutralising odour, Ultrapure® targets the microbes contributing to bad breath in the first place.
And because it works across bacteria, fungi and viruses, it provides broad microbial care, not just breath freshening. Your mouth is an ecosystem of microbes, not just a set of teeth.
The burn isn’t what makes it work
We’ve somehow learned to associate that intense mouthwash burn with “this must really be working.” It isn’t.
Alcohol-containing mouthwashes can give a strong sensation.. That sensation itself is not a measure of how effectively a mouthwash is controlling microbes. It can also cause irritation or dryness. Less saliva can actually make bad breath worse, because saliva helps naturally wash away food particles and bacteria.
Chlorhexidine is highly effective, but it’s generally intended for short-term treatment because continued use can stain teeth, alter taste and irritate the mouth.
Ultrapure® takes a different approach. It’s alcohol-free and chlorhexidine-free, with antimicrobial action coming from 99.99% pure HOCl. Effectiveness doesn’t have to feel harsh.
Mouthwash isn't a replacement for good oral hygiene. Brushing, flossing and cleaning your tongue still matter.
But if you’re adding a mouthwash to that routine, it makes sense to understand what it’s actually doing.
Less masking. More microbial control.