Instead of gargling with a commercial mouthwash before going to bed, try rinsing your mouth with tea. Researchers are testing gargling with tea as an effective treatment for reducing the build-up of plaque on teeth.
A trial in India will be conducted to find out how green and black tea fare compared to an antiseptic mouthwash, reports the Daily Mail. The experiment will include 45 people with gingivitis – a type of gum disease – who will be given one of the teas or a mouthwash containing chlorhexidine to rinse with for 30 seconds for twice a day after brushing.
The two-week trial will be carried out at Sri Hasanamba Dental College and Hospital in India. Scientists believe that tannin, a chemical found in tea, may possess antibacterial properties.
