If you want to beat that plaque build-up on teeth, it might be time to swap your mouthwash for an Irish household staple. If you feel like your mouth rinse isn’t leaving your pearly whites in pristine condition, a new trial in India is pointing to our trusty cup of tea to help breakdown those stains. Gargling with tea is being tested as the latest way to counteract that daily build-up – with tests comparing the effects between using green and black tea holding up against the trusty routine care of rinsing with an antiseptic mouthwash. So how can your favourite drink be cleaning your teeth? According to experts, the chemical tannin found in your cuppa may have the perfect antibacterial properties to combat plaque which leads to gum disease. The research took 45 people plagued with gingivitis (a form of gum disease associated with stale, bad breath) and asked them to rinse with either one of the tea options or a mouthwash containing chlorhexidine. They had to practice their new method for 30 seconds, twice a day after brushing. After two weeks, respondents at Sri Hasanamba Dental College and Hospital in India noted an improvement in their symptoms of gingivitis while dentists confirmed a break-down in plaque build-up. While we’re not saying to ditch the mouthwash altogether, there is some proof that it’s important to change up the products you use on a daily basis. Whether that’s talking to your dentist for a more in-depth look at your teeth, or getting the advice of a pharmacist on the floor, don’t just settle for the same bottle resting in your cabinet. Breakfast might just be more beneficial to your smile. H/T Mail Online