Objective:This study compares the antibacterial efficacy of alcohol-based and alcohol-free mouthwashes against primary oral pathogens to guide public health oral hygiene choices.Methodology:Four mouth rinses-Listerine (Alcohol-Based), Colgate Plax (Alcohol-Free), Mouthwash Essentials (Alcohol-Based), and HerbalGuard (Alcohol-Free)-were tested against Streptococcus mutans, Porphyromonas gingivalis, and Fusobacterium nucleatum using the agar well diffusion method. The zones of inhibition were measured to assess antibacterial activity.Results:Alcohol-based mouthwashes demonstrated significantly larger zones of inhibition (18-20 mm) compared to alcohol-free variants (8-13 mm). One-way ANOVA revealed statistically significant differences (P < 0.05), with alcohol-based products showing superior antibacterial activity. Linear regression analysis revealed a direct correlation between alcohol content and antibacterial effect. The odds ratio indicated that alcohol-based mouthwashes were 25 times more likely to be effective against oral pathogens than alcohol-free mouthwashes.Conclusion:Alcohol-based mouthwashes are significantly more effective at inhibiting oral pathogens, suggesting their potential for use in public health oral hygiene programs.