Most commercial mouthwashes contain more than one active ingredient and are advertised as providing several benefits to the user. Each mouthwash is a unique combination of compounds designed to promote oral hygiene. Examples are hexylresorcinol, thymol, benzethonium chloride, cetylpyridium chloride, boric and benzoic acids, hexitidine, and chlorine-liberating compounds such as hypochlorous acid. Oxygenating agents, which are active against anaerobic bacteria of the mouth. Their effervescence helps to remove unhealthy tissue.
Examples are hydrogen peroxide and perborate.
Astringents , which cause local blood vessels to contract and thereby reduce swollen tissues. Examples are alcohol, zinc chloride, zinc acetate, alum, and organic acids such as tannic, acetic, or citric acid. Anodynes , which alleviate pain and soreness. Examples are phenol derivatives, oil of wintergreen and eucalyptus oil. Buffers , which reduce the acidity in the mouth resulting from fermentation of food debris by microorganisms.