Is Peppermint Tea Good for Bad Breath?

Partly: peppermint tea may temporarily improve bad breath when dryness or a mild mouth odor is the issue, because its mint aroma can mask odor and its water helps moisten the mouth. Evidence for drinking peppermint tea specifically is limited, so use it as a comfort measure rather than a treatment.

Does peppermint tea actually help bad breath?

Peppermint tea can make your mouth feel fresher for a while, especially after eating or when your mouth feels dry. The effect is likely to be temporary: tea cannot remove plaque, repair a dental problem or resolve another underlying cause of persistent bad breath.

Drinking it is an optional addition to brushing, flossing and regular dental care, not a replacement. For a broader comparison, see the best drinks for bad breath.

How might peppermint tea freshen breath?

Peppermint tea has a recognizable mint aroma that can cover up an unpleasant smell. That is different from eliminating the source of the smell: breath may change again once the aroma fades.

The water in peppermint tea can also help moisten a dry mouth. Saliva helps keep the mouth comfortable and clears away food particles; when the mouth is dry, odor can become more noticeable. Drinking tea may provide temporary moisture, but it does not necessarily correct the reason for ongoing dry mouth.

Bad breath often starts in the mouth, where bacteria can break down food particles and produce smelly compounds. Plaque, material on the tongue, gum problems and unclean dentures can contribute. Some foods, dry mouth, reflux and other health conditions can also play a role.

What does the evidence say?

A 2013 randomized study of a peppermint mouth rinse assigned 84 high school students with halitosis to a peppermint rinse or a placebo. The authors reported a significant difference and concluded that the peppermint rinse reduced halitosis. However, the abstract's outcome counts are difficult to reconcile with that conclusion, so the finding needs cautious interpretation.

The study tested a mouth rinse, not peppermint tea. Its results do not tell us whether drinking the tea works, how much might help or how long any effect lasts.

A 2017 study in patients after spine surgery examined a gargle containing peppermint, tea tree and lemon oils. It reported improvements in halitosis, but the mixed ingredients and postoperative setting make it impossible to attribute the effect to peppermint alone or apply the result directly to tea. Overall, research on peppermint tea itself is indirect and limited.

How can you use peppermint tea for bad breath?

Choose an unsweetened peppermint tea and sip it when you want a fresher-feeling mouth. A store-bought peppermint tea bag is an option; follow its preparation instructions and let the tea cool to a comfortable temperature before drinking.

You can also make a cold peppermint infusion:

Ingredients

• 1 liter water, about 4¼ US cups
• 8–12 fresh peppermint leaves, about 5 grams

Steps

1. Wash the peppermint leaves under running water.
2. Add the leaves to the water in a clean container.
3. Refrigerate and steep for 2–4 hours.
4. Strain and drink within 24 hours for the best flavor. Discard it sooner if it becomes cloudy, slimy or sour-smelling.

Keep the infusion refrigerated rather than leaving it out for more than a few hours. If your breath remains unpleasant, focus on finding the cause rather than drinking more tea to cover it up.

Who should be careful, and when should you seek help?

Peppermint may worsen symptoms for some people with acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease. If peppermint tea brings on heartburn or makes it worse, avoid it and ask a healthcare professional about your symptoms.

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, ask your clinician about regular use of herbal teas. For children, check with a pediatrician if you are unsure whether peppermint tea is appropriate, and avoid serving it hot enough to burn. Do not add peppermint essential oil to drinks: concentrated oils are not the same as brewed leaves and can be harmful if swallowed.

See a dentist if bad breath persists despite good oral care, or if you have bleeding gums, tooth pain or loose teeth. Ask a clinician about persistent dry mouth, particularly if you take medicines that may cause it; do not stop a prescribed medicine on your own. Seek urgent dental or medical care for facial swelling or fever with dental pain, and emergency care for trouble breathing or swallowing.