Want Good Oral Health? Get Our Top Ten Tips for Why Drinking Green Tea Will Get You There!

Are you looking for new ways to infuse your diet with healthy options? Do you want less cavities, a faster metabolism, healthier gums -- and more? Did you know that by drinking Japanese green tea regularly, you can infuse your diet with many healthy benefits that you currently may be missing out on? 

Not only does Japanese green tea taste delicious and is refreshing especially following a meal, but it is rich in benefits. Green tea helps to alleviate inflammation, promotes good oral health over the long-term and is rich in antioxidants -- which contribute to less free radicals in your body and ultimately, less susceptibility to diseases.

Why does it help your mouth so much? Green tea is packed with catechins (like EGCG) that can discourage the growth of cavity-causing bacteria and help reduce the acids that wear down enamel. It’s naturally low in acidity and contains trace minerals that support tooth strength, making it a smart swap for sugary or highly acidic drinks. For the best results, sip it unsweetened, aim for 2–3 cups spaced through the day, and brew at a lower temperature (about 70–80°C / 160–175°F for 1–2 minutes) to keep the antioxidants intact and the flavor smooth—then keep up your regular brushing, flossing, and dental checkups.

If you're ready to boost your oral health today, then read on to get our top 10 tips for why you should start drinking green tea. Here's what you need to know:

1. Keep Your Gums in Good Shape

Green tea has an anti-inflammatory property that helps to keep your gums in good shape and to fight against gum disease, known as periodontal disease. In fact, Colgate reported on a Japanese study that found that regularly drinking green tea leads to better gum conditions and a lower chance of periodontal disease. 

What’s driving those benefits? Green tea is rich in catechins (like EGCG) that can discourage plaque-forming bacteria and help dial down inflammation in gum tissue—two key factors behind bleeding and tenderness. To make it work for you, enjoy 2–3 unsweetened cups a day (after meals is ideal), let the first sip gently swish around your mouth, and keep your brew warm—not scalding—to protect delicate gums. Green tea is a helpful add-on, not a substitute for brushing, flossing, and regular dental checkups.

2. Have Sweet-Smelling Breath

Green tea also has an astringent quality that makes it a natural cleaner for your mouth. It effectively kills bacterial microbes that lead to foul smelling breath by attacking all sides of your mouth and tongue where those bacterial elements love to thrive. A study from the dentistry school of the University of British Columbia found that bad breath reduced among study participants who consumed a green tea powder at a higher rate than those who chewed minty chewing gum.

For best results, sip your green tea unsweetened and swish the first mouthful gently over your tongue and cheeks—this helps neutralize volatile sulfur compounds (the gases behind halitosis) and wash away food particles. Pair the habit with daily tongue cleaning, flossing, and steady hydration, and aim for 1–2 cups after meals. If persistent bad breath continues despite good hygiene, check in with your dentist to rule out gum disease or other causes.

3. Get Stronger Teeth

Green tea has the benefit of making your tooth enamel strong. With the onslaught of acidic drinks you probably are intaking in a day -- from coffee to tea to soft drinks -- your mouth's pH can rise to a dangerous acid level and that contributes to the deterioration of your tooth enamel. Green tea helps keep your teeth strong in the midst of the acidic drinks and food you may consume throughout the day.

Quick note: in the mouth, acidic means a lower pH. Plain green tea is naturally low-acid and unsweetened, so it’s gentler on enamel, and its catechins help curb acid production by plaque bacteria—keeping your mouth closer to the safe zone above the “critical pH” (~5.5) where enamel starts to dissolve. For best results, drink it without sugar or lemon, have it with meals, swish with water afterward, and wait about 30 minutes after any acidic food or drink before brushing so softened enamel can re-harden with saliva and fluoride toothpaste.

4. Protect Your Teeth From Cavities

Because green tea is extremely effective at maintaining good basic pH levels in your mouth, it not only tempers the pH level, but it helps to control bacterial levels that lead to infection, to reduce plaque, and to protect your teeth against the onslaught of cavities.

To get the most from this, sip green tea unsweetened (no sugar or honey) and let the first mouthful gently swish for 20–30 seconds after meals—its catechins can suppress Streptococcus mutans and help blunt plaque acids. Aim for 1–3 cups rather than constant all-day sipping, which can keep bacteria active. Pair the habit with fluoride toothpaste twice daily and nightly flossing, and keep your last drink before bed sugar-free so your mouth stays above the “critical pH” where enamel begins to dissolve.

5. Maintain a Full Set of Teeth

Because green tea is a great antidote to bacteria and acid in your mouth, it makes sense that it would lead to healthier gums, less cavities and a less likely chance of developing gum disease. But did you also know that it helps support keeping all of your teeth? That's because overall, the antibacterial and anti-inflammation properties of green tea are creating an environment within your mouth that promotes the stability of your teeth. You're more likely to keep all of your natural pearly whites over time when you incorporate a regular green tea habit into your diet.

Reality check: no single drink can guarantee you’ll keep every tooth, but unsweetened green tea can be a smart part of a long-term “tooth-retention plan.” Its catechins help dial down plaque activity and gum inflammation, which—over years—reduces the pressures that lead to loosening and loss. To stack the odds in your favor, pair 2–3 cups with meals (not constant sipping), stick with fluoride toothpaste twice daily and interdental cleaning, see your dentist regularly, avoid smoking, and keep added sugars low. Think of green tea as a supportive daily habit that works alongside those essentials.

6. Keep Oral Cancer at Bay

Green tea is a great source of antioxidants. When antioxidants are swirling around in your mouth, they are fighting free radicals and working hard to thwart cancer growth. A University of Texas study analyzed the progression of precancerous outbreaks in ten mouths of patients and found that those who were given a green tea extract as part of their diet had a slower progression of oral cancer than those who didn't consume the extract.

People with high-risk oral lesions is promising, but it doesn’t prove that everyday cups of tea prevent cancer—and it’s not a treatment. Enjoy unsweetened green tea as an adjunct, while leaning on proven steps: avoid tobacco and vaping, limit alcohol, use SPF lip balm, keep regular dental checkups, and see a dentist or physician for any sore, patch, lump, or hoarseness that lasts more than two weeks. If you’re caffeine-sensitive, decaf green tea still provides many polyphenols.

(Read more about topic on my another article - How to Fight Against Anti-Aging by Consuming Japanese Green Tea Daily)

7. Fight Strep Throat

Strep throat is an unpleasant virus that requires medication to get better -- or otherwise you could cause significant strain and damage to your heart. Because of its bacteria-fighting superpowers, >green tea can help your mouth and throat stay healthy and fight the onslaught of this virus.

Quick note to keep it safe and simple: strep throat is actually caused by Group A strep bacteria (not a virus) and needs proper testing and antibiotic treatment from a clinician; green tea won’t cure it. What it can do is soothe a sore, scratchy throat and keep you hydrated—sip it warm and unsweetened while you rest. If you suspect strep (sudden severe sore throat, fever, swollen neck nodes), see your doctor, start treatment if prescribed, and avoid close contact until you’re fever-free and at least 12–24 hours after starting antibiotics to reduce spread and protect against complications like rheumatic fever.

8. Thwart Tooth Sensitivity

Green tea also is known to keep your teeth strong and give them the increased ability to withstand hot and cold substances. This is because green tea naturally fights acid, which can make your tooth enamel weaker. A weak tooth enamel often leads to sensitive areas of your teeth when you are sipping coffee, hot tea or very cold drinks and foods, such as ice cream.

To help manage sensitivity day to day, sip green tea unsweetened and warm (not scalding hot or ice-cold), and swish with plain water after acidic foods or drinks; wait about 30 minutes before brushing so softened enamel can reharden. Pair the habit with a fluoride or desensitizing toothpaste (look for potassium nitrate or stannous fluoride), gentle brushing with a soft brush, and nightly flossing. If sensitivity persists, see your dentist to check for gum recession, enamel erosion, cavities, cracks, or grinding—treatments like fluoride varnish, desensitizing gels, or a night guard can help. Caffeine-sensitive? Decaf green tea still delivers many helpful polyphenols without the jitters.

9. Stop Bleeding Gums

If you currently have sensitive teeth, you may from time to time experience bleeding after brushing. Bleeding also can be a sign of gum disease, and you should consult with your dentist if you have either of these issues. Green tea is a natural anti-inflammatory substance, and it can keep bleeding at bay by making sure your gums are strong.

To calm and prevent bleeding, focus on gentle, consistent care: use a soft-bristled brush angled about 45° to the gumline with light pressure for two minutes, and clean between teeth daily with floss or interdental brushes. Sip green tea unsweetened and let the first mouthful bathe the gumline for 20–30 seconds to help reduce plaque activity, then swish with plain water. Limit frequent sugary snacks/drinks and wait ~30 minutes after acidic foods before brushing. If bleeding lasts more than a week—or you notice swelling, persistent bad breath, or looseness—book a dental exam; pregnancy, certain medications (like blood thinners), diabetes, and smoking can also make gums bleed more.

10. For All Its Benefits...

For all its great benefits for your mouth, green tea does have one downside -- and that is it can stain your teeth over time just like any other tea. So make sure you swish your mouth with water after every mug to help prevent the tea leaves from building up a stain on the fronts and backs of your teeth. This can happen with any tea use over time. The benefits of green tea certainly outweigh this one consequence -- so just make sure you rinse!

To minimize staining even more, finish your tea in a short sitting rather than sipping all day, and choose unsweetened (sugar feeds plaque that traps pigments). Rinse with plain water, then wait about 30 minutes before brushing so enamel can re-harden. For iced tea, a straw helps keep liquid off front teeth; for hot tea, follow with a water swish. Use a gentle anti-stain/whitening toothpaste (low abrasivity) and keep up regular professional cleanings—your hygienist can polish away surface stains safely.

Ready to Start Brewing?

With so many wonderful benefits, it's not an option but a given that green tea should be part of your regular diet. You'll reap the many benefits -- not only for your body -- but for the pleasure it creates in your life.

Brewing green tea can be a social event that helps you connect with your colleagues, friends and loved ones over a steaming mug. It's the perfect antidote to a bad day, a rainy day -- or really any day when you need a little peace and relaxation in your life.

For the best cup every time, use fresh filtered water and mind the temperature: for Japanese sencha, aim for 70–80°C (160–175°F) and steep 1–2 minutes; for delicate gyokuro, go cooler at 50–60°C (122–140°F) for about 2 minutes. Use roughly 2 grams (about 1 teaspoon) of leaves per 200 ml (7 oz) of water, and if it tastes bitter, lower the temperature or shorten the steep. Prefer it chilled? Cold-brew in the fridge (1–2 tablespoons of leaves per liter for 4–8 hours) for a smoother, mellow sip. Enjoy it unsweetened after meals, and store your tea in an airtight container away from light, heat, and moisture.

Keep these 10 tips for incorporating green tea into your diet and begin experiencing a new way of living today! You're only a mug away!

Additional Information and Science Behind Why Japanese Green Tea is Good for Oral Health

Now that you are aware of just how green tea can impact your oral health, let’s take a closer look at the scientific evidence behind these facts. What most people aren’t aware of is that scientists have actually been experimenting with green tea for quite a while. As such, there is quite a bit of medical evidence to back up all the claims mentioned here. Let’s get started…

The Impact of Green Tea on Periodontal Disease

So, let’s begin the effect of green tea on periodontal disease. What many people don’t know is that periodontal disease is one of the most several oral health conditions. This is because it is often considered to be the last stage of the disease. As a result, most people experience severe gum recession, tooth loss, and even damage to the gums.

Naturally, finding a way to treat and prevent this disease is rather important. This is where green tea comes in. As mentioned, studies have shown that drinking green tea regularly can help to prevent periodontal disease. However, what if you have already been diagnosed with this issue. Can green tea help then?

Well, the results are in and it turns out that green tea can help quite a bit. One large study showed that green tea can actually help to tackle various elements of periodontal disease. The participants who drank green tea each day were found to have a decrease in the depth of periodontal pockets. It was also discovered that the individuals were less likely to experience tooth detachment and bleeding gums.

Think of green tea as a supportive daily habit—not a cure—alongside proven gum-care basics. Its natural catechins can help calm inflammation and dial down plaque activity between brushings, which may make tender, bleeding gums easier to manage. For practical use, sip 2–3 cups unsweetened after meals, let the first mouthful gently swish along the gumline, and pair the habit with a soft-bristled brush, fluoride toothpaste, and daily interdental cleaning (floss or interdental brushes). Keep regular professional cleanings and avoid smoking; if bleeding or swelling lasts more than a week, book a dental exam to catch problems early. Caffeine-sensitive? Decaf green tea still offers many of the same mouth-friendly polyphenols.

In short, a regular intake of green tea could help to reduce the risk of the symptoms caused by periodontal disease.

How Green Tea Freshens Breath

Now let’s examine how green tea can help to freshen your breath a little more closely. The above section and other sites such as https://tealeafed.com/ attributed this phenomenon to green tea’s antibacterial and antimicrobial activity. This is absolutely right, but the actual action of green tea is even more fascinating.

Understand, halitosis – or bad breath – is caused by volatile sulfur compounds. These, in turn, are the results of microbes breaking down various proteins in the mouth. What the green tea does is to reduce the concentration of the gases so that the bad breath isn’t as prominent.

Of course, green tea also goes one step further. Not only does it get rid of the bacteria and the gases, but it also deodorizes the mouth to get rid of any existing odors. This is what leads to a more pleasant smelling breath. In fact, green tea can have a similar impact as toothpaste, minus the minty taste.

For the freshest results, sip green tea unsweetened and swish the first mouthful over your tongue and cheeks for 20–30 seconds, then follow with a small water rinse to prevent dryness. Make it part of a breath routine: clean your tongue daily (scraper or brush), floss at night, and stay hydrated between meals. Effects are temporary, so enjoy a cup after odor-heavy foods like onions or garlic; if you’re caffeine-sensitive, decaf green tea still offers the helpful polyphenols. Remember, it’s an adjunct—not a replacement—for brushing with fluoride toothpaste.

The Role of Green Tea in Protecting Enamel  

As the prior post has noted, green tea can help to protect the enamel. Naturally, this is a good thing as damaged enamel can lead to erosion and increased sensitivity. Fortunately, green tea is able to tackle the main issues causing tooth enamel erosion.  

Nonetheless, just how is it that green tea manages this feat? Before answering this, let’s take a look at the links between enamel, plaque, and acid production. Plaque is actually responsible for the acid production that causes enamel damage. Bacteria congregates on plaque, converting sugars to acid. This is what causes the weakening of the surrounding teeth. The good news, however, is that green tea actively cuts down on this process.

Green tea inhibits the acid production of both the plaque as well as the bacteria. This helps to maintain the overall pH levels at a much healthier level. Thus, there is a much lower risk of damage to the existing enamel.

To give your enamel the best support, enjoy green tea unsweetened and with meals rather than sipping all day—constant exposure keeps acids active. Skip lemon and sugar (both increase enamel-softening risk), and swish with plain water afterward to help your saliva raise pH and deliver minerals. Wait about 30 minutes before brushing so softened enamel can re-harden, and pair the habit with a fluoride toothpaste to boost remineralization. If you like it cold, cold-brewed green tea is typically smoother and less acidic, which can be gentler on enamel. Persistent sensitivity or visible wear deserves a dental check to rule out causes like clenching, reflux, or overly abrasive brushing.

The Impressive Influence of Green Tea on Cavities

It can be argued that cavities are one of the most prevalent dental issues around the world. This is because it is often due to a number of factors – poor eating habits, poor oral care habits, and a buildup of bacteria in the mouth.

Well, it appears that green tea could be just the thing to help overcome this issue. As the above section mentioned, part of this is because green tea helps to monitor the pH level in the mouth. However, there is more to this.

Green tea is also excellent at fighting the main bacteria strains behind cavities - Escherichia coli, Streptococcus salivarius, and Streptococcus mutans. This means that green tea can be helpful for a number of different people.

The work of green tea against cavities becomes even more impressive, though. Scientists discovered that green tea can have the same impact as some of the most commonly used medicines! That’s right, you just may be able to swap out drugs such as amoxicillin, cephradine, and eugenol for green tea.

To put this into practice, enjoy green tea unsweetened with meals and let the first sip gently swish around your teeth for 20–30 seconds. Its catechins can help discourage cavity-associated bacteria like Streptococcus mutans and certain lactobacilli and blunt the acids they produce—supporting a healthier, less erosive pH. Think of green tea as an adjunct, not a replacement, to fluoride toothpaste, flossing, and professional care, and don’t add sugar, honey, or lemon (they feed bacteria and soften enamel). Finish your cup in one sitting rather than sipping all day, rinse with water afterward, and consider xylitol gum after snacks to further cut cavity risk. Caffeine-sensitive? Decaf green tea still delivers many of the same helpful polyphenols.

The Cancer-Fighting Elements of Green Tea

It has already been covered that green tea can help to prevent the onset of oral cancers. Since this is such an impressive feat, it is interesting to see what goes on under the surface. Well, it appears that science has an answer.  

Understand, the components of green tea cause what is known as apoptosis in cancerous cells. Essentially, this means that the introduction of green tea causes the death of these cells. Thus, the beverage is able to reduce the population of these harmful agents. This is what can aid in the prevention of cancer cells.

Well, the outlook gets even better. This is because green tea is actually quite selective when it comes to cell disruption. It will only attack harmful cells and leave healthy ones alone. As a result, regular green tea drinkers get to experience all the healthful advantages without having to worry about any negative side effects.

Once you take a look at the science behind green tea, this beverage becomes even more impressive. From its antibacterial properties to cancer-killing capabilities, there is so much to like about green tea. Thus, when you enjoy your daily cup from now on, you can pat yourself on the back knowing that your teeth will be in better condition than ever before.

Conclusion

A healthy smile doesn’t hinge on one magic fix, but a simple daily cup of unsweetened Japanese green tea can be a powerful ally—supporting calmer gums, fresher breath, steadier pH, stronger enamel, and fewer cavities over time. Make it part of your routine: enjoy 2–3 cups with meals, swish the first sip gently around your mouth, rinse with water afterward, and wait about 30 minutes before brushing. Keep up the essentials—fluoride toothpaste, daily interdental cleaning, and regular dental visits—and choose decaf if you’re caffeine-sensitive. Worried about staining? Finish your cup in one sitting, rinse with water, and let professional cleanings handle what’s left. Brew your next mug today and cheers to a brighter, healthier smile.