How to Use Tea Tree Oil for Bad Breath

Discover how to use tea tree oil for bad breath. Does it really work?

Tea tree oil is known to possess antiseptic properties. It can kill fungus and bacteria in the mouth responsible for bad breath (halitosis). But are there scientific studies to show this to be case?

Fortunately, the answer is yes!

A study completed in Korean in 2007 at the School of Nursing showed that a solution of tea tree oil with peppermint and lemon was more effective than Tantum (a prescription mouthwash) for reducing bad breath.

The odor reduction was noticed in 5 minutes after treatment and it lasted up to 1 hour. (Of course, the odor control could have lasted much longer but the study stopped at the one hour mark.)

And the level of odor reduction wasn't just what the researchers thought they smelled. They actually used a halimeter to accurately determine the level of the bad breath reduction.

Bottom line?

It works!

Make a 5% tea tree oil mouth wash for bad breath by mixing 5 mL of pure tea tree oil with 100 mL of water. Instead of water, you may choose to mix it in your favorite mouthwash. You may add several drops of peppermint and lemon if necessary. Rinse your mouth for 3 minutes (that's how long the subjects did in the above mentioned research study) and spit out.

You can follow this regime two or three times daily after brushing your teeth.

Remember not to swallow any of this mouth rinse as tea tree oil can be toxic if taken by mouth.

For more detailed information on how to dilute tea tree oil properly, see Tea Tree Oil Dilution Guidelines.

To discover the many health benefits of tea tree oil see the article Benefits of Tea Tree Oil.

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