Freshen Up Fast: What’s the Best Drink for Bad Breath?

Bad breath is a common issue that can dent anyone’s confidence. It often stems from dry mouth, bacteria, certain foods, or digestive issues. This article explores the best drinks that naturally freshen breath, while highlighting ones to avoid, which can worsen odors.

Best Drinks for Bad Breath: Natural Ways to Keep Your Breath Fresh

Green Tea

Green tea, a cherished global beverage from the Camellia sinensis plant, has been valued for centuries for its refreshing taste and breath-freshening qualities.

Packed with polyphenols, especially catechins, it boasts natural antibacterial and antioxidant properties that combat odor-causing bacteria like Porphyromonas gingivalis and Prevotella species [1,7,8].

These compounds neutralize volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs), the main source of bad breath, creating a cleaner mouth [8].

How to use

Enjoy 1–3 cups daily or use cooled green tea as a mouthwash after brushing to clear bacteria and debris [1,8].

Black Tea and Arabic Coffee

Similar to green tea, both black tea and Arabic coffee are natural options for reducing bad breath. Black tea, derived from Camellia sinensis, contains polyphenols such as tannins and catechins that exhibit antibacterial and antioxidant properties to suppress odor-causing bacteria [7].

In a clinical trial involving 17 healthy men, rinsing with black tea reduced hydrogen sulfide levels by 33% after two hours [7].

Arabic coffee, brewed from Coffea beans and often blended with cardamom, provides even stronger effects. Its caffeic and chlorogenic acids helped reduce volatile sulfur compounds by up to 85% in laboratory tests [7].

The same study showed that Arabic coffee decreased hydrogen sulfide by nearly 50%, outperforming black tea [7].

However, because caffeine may cause dry mouth, it’s best to pair coffee with water to support saliva flow and sustain breath freshness [9,13]. Both beverages deliver short-term benefits, most pronounced within the first hour after consumption [7].

Water

Water stands out as a simple yet powerful ally. Saliva, nature’s mouth cleanser, fights odor-causing bacteria, viruses, and fungi while clearing food debris [9]. Drinking water regularly keeps saliva flowing, countering dry mouth—a common cause of morning bad breath [2,9].

Sipping water after meals, especially after garlic or onions, or throughout the day helps wash away bacteria and debris [8]. Community feedback emphasizes water’s role in keeping the mouth hydrated to combat bad breath.*

For best results, choose plain water over sugary drinks, as sugar can reduce saliva’s effectiveness [6,12].

Herbal Extracts

Herbal extracts like peppermint, fennel, and parsley bring a fragrant twist to combating bad breath. Used in teas or mouthwashes, these plant-based remedies deliver antibacterial and odor-neutralizing benefits with minimal side effects compared to chemical products [3].

Peppermint and fennel, packed with essential oils, target bacteria like Porphyromonas gingivalis and boost saliva to clear oral debris [3,11].

Oils such as tea tree and eucalyptus also reduce volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs), though their effects are often short-lived [5,11].

Abdolhosein Moghbel showed in his study (2011) that herbal mouthwashes can rival standard chemical rinses in lowering VSC levels [5].

For instance, YouTube channel Yoga & You highlights chewing mint leaves for quick freshness.*

Avoid ingesting undiluted essential oils, and choose alcohol-free options for children or pregnant women [1]. These herbs offer a natural, aromatic path to fresher breath [12].

Probiotic Drinks

Complementing the aromatic benefits of herbal extracts, probiotic drinks like kombucha and yogurt beverages offer a unique approach to fresher breath by balancing oral and gut microbiomes.

Probiotics, such as Lactobacillus strains and Streptococcus salivarius K12, create a low-pH environment that discourages odor-causing bacteria [14].

JP Burton’s study (2006) with 13 participants with high volatile sulfur compound (VSC) levels showed significant VSC reduction after one and two weeks of using S. salivarius K12 [10].

Remember, choose products with live cultures and minimal sugar, as excess sugar can feed harmful bacteria [14]. Probiotic drinks show growing promise for breath freshness [10,14].

Essential Oil Drinks

Essential oil drinks, like those with food-grade peppermint or cardamom, offer a fragrant way to freshen breath, building on the microbial balance from probiotics. Historically used for their aromatic qualities, these oils contain compounds that mask odors and fight bacteria [3,4].

Peppermint oil, widely cherished, also supports saliva flow for a cleaner mouth [3]. Add a drop of food-grade oil to water or tea for a refreshing drink. Use only certified food-grade oils, as pure oils can be harmful if ingested improperly.

Drinks to Avoid

Coffee

While Arabic coffee was noted for its breath-freshening potential, regular coffee can worsen bad breath despite some benefits.

Enjoyed worldwide, coffee contains caffeine, which reduces saliva flow, creating a dry mouth environment where odor-causing bacteria thrive [7,13]. Its aromatic compounds can also linger, contributing to unpleasant breath [6].

Alcoholic Beverages

Unlike the breath-freshening potential of herbal drinks, alcoholic beverages like rum, gin, and whiskey can worsen bad breath.

These drinks produce strong-smelling compounds after being metabolized, leaving an unpleasant odor almost immediately [6]. Alcohol also reduces saliva flow, creating a dry mouth where odor-causing bacteria thrive [6,9].

Regular drinking may further disrupt gut bacteria, adding to the issue [6]. To lessen the effects, drink plenty of water after consuming alcohol to support saliva’s natural cleansing action [9].

Brushing teeth or eating can also help reduce temporary bad breath. Limiting alcohol intake is key to maintaining fresher breath [6].

Sugary Soft Drinks/Carbonated Beverages

Sugary soft drinks and carbonated beverages can intensify bad breath, unlike the refreshing effects of water. Packed with sugar, these drinks fuel bacteria in the mouth, producing acids and volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs) that create unpleasant odors [1,12].

Sugar clings to teeth, encouraging bacterial growth [12]. The acidic nature of carbonated drinks also erodes enamel, making it easier for odor-causing bacteria to thrive [3].

Other Tips for Fresh Breath: Supplements That Help Reduce Odor Naturally

Beyond the drinks that freshen or harm your breath, supplements provide an easy extra boost for natural odor reduction. Oral probiotics, such as Lactobacillus salivarius in chewable mint forms, help balance mouth bacteria and neutralize sulfur compounds [11].

Other options include zinc, which binds to odor-causing elements [7]; chlorophyll for gentle masking [5]; and CoQ10 for antibacterial support [11].

Choose products with independent testing, like CoA, ISO certification, or Clean Label Project seals, ensuring quality and safety, plus clear dosage labels (e.g., 1-2 tablets daily).

Always consult a doctor before starting if you're on medications or have digestive, liver, or kidney concerns. These supplements complement your routine for lasting freshness.

Conclusion

Combating bad breath is easier with smart drink choices like green tea, water, and probiotics, while steering clear of sugary or alcoholic beverages. These natural options support fresher breath but work best alongside regular brushing and flossing.

Curious about more ways to boost your confidence with a fresh smile? Explore additional oral care tips and consult a dentist for personalized advice