Also known as halitosis, bad breath is an indication of poor dental hygiene. According to studies, the foul odor begins inside the mouth, tonsils, and throat. It is generally caused by sulfur-producing, anaerobic bacteria – bacteria that do not need oxygen to grow.

In addition to this, the lifestyle and eating habits of a person may also be the reason behind bad breath. Those who are heavy smokers are more prone to bad breath as well as those people who love to eat spicy foods and foods with strong odors like onions and garlic.

A nutrition specialist named Katharina Kaiser from fitness & nutrition app Freeletics says:

“Improving your oral hygiene, such as brushing your teeth and gums regularly, and flossing between your teeth daily is usually enough to treat bad breath and stop it happening again. But sipping on tea can also help boost oral hygiene.”

She further added:

“If you want to take extra good care of those pearly-whites, reach for a cup of green tea. It fights bacteria that cause gum disease and tooth decay, and can even be used as a mouthwash to kill bacteria and reduce bad breath.”

How Green Tea Works?

Green tea helps cleanse and rinse off the bacteria from the mouth as well as get rid of toxins in the body thus giving a refreshing feeling throughout the day. It contains catechins that are natural antioxidants that help prevent cell damage and provide other benefits. Catechins have strong antibacterial/bactericidal action and antioxidant action. They work by reducing germs in the mouth and decomposing volatile sulfides (hydrogen sulfide and methyl mercaptan) that cause odors. Additionally, green tea also contains chlorophyll which is generally renowned for having a deodorizing effect and bactericidal action.

How To Use Green Tea Against To Prevent Or Fight Bad Breath

Sip It

Brew two cups of tea before going to bed and refrigerate it overnight. Pour the cool tea into a water bottle and bring it to work. Slowly sip on it throughout the day.

Gargle It

Rinse the mouth first to wash away dirt and food remnants in the mouth. Put a small amount of green tea in the mouth and swish it around. Tilt the head back, and without swallowing the liquid, try to open the mouth and make the “ahhh” sound. Spit the gargling liquid out into the sink. Finally, rinse the mouth with water.