Green Tea Fights Acid Production of Cavity-Causing Bacteria
Background: The dental cavity process begins
when bacteria (primarily Streptococcus mutans) cling to the teeth, feed
on sugars in the mouth, and produce acid as a by-product of their metabolism.
At the same time, they produce a water-insoluble
substance called plaque that sticks to the teeth and allows the bacteria to get
a better "foothold."
Study description: Researchers wanted to
find out if green tea catechins could inhibit the production of acid by
Streptococcus mutans. Fifteen volunteers rinsed their mouths
with either water or a solution containing the green tea catechin EGCg (epigallocatechin
gallate). Thirty minutes later, they rinsed again, this time with
sugar-water. Then, samples of plaque from the volunteers' mouths were collected at
various times and analyzed.
Where: Japan
Type of study: Clinical
What happened: Compared to rinsing with water,
rinsing with the EGCg solution significantly decreased the acidity of the plaque.
This showed that the green tea catechins slowed the action of the cavity-causing bacteria.
Researchers' conclusion: "These results suggest
that EGCg is effective in reducing acid production in dental plaque and mutans
streptococci."
Citation: Hirasawa M, Takada K, Otake S.
Inhibition of acid production in dental plaque bacteria by green tea catechins.
Caries Res 2006;40(3):265-270. (Click here to read PubMed study
abstract.)
|
Nadine Taylor, M.S., R.D. presents
GreenTeaLibrary.com, the most comprehensive collection of scientific
information describing the health benefits of green tea.
|
|
