Green Tea Interferes With Bacteria's Production of
Plaque and Adherence to Teeth
Study description: The cavity-causing
bacteria
Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus create a substance
called glucan (plaque) that helps them stick to the teeth. This study examined whether
the green tea catechins EGCg (epigallocatechin gallate) and ECg (epicatechin
gallate) could prevent the bacteria from manufacturing glucan and, in turn,
adhering to the teeth.
Type of study: "Test-tube"
What happened: The bacteria were mixed
with catechins in the lab. The EGCg and ECg "strongly interfered" with the bacteria's ability to manufacture glucan and
to stick to the glass surface that represented tooth enamel.
Researchers' conclusion: Green tea catechins
"...are effective for protection from dental plaque formation that subsequently
develops dental caries."
Citation: Sakanaka S, Sato T, Kim M, et al.
Inhibitory effects of green tea polyphenols on glucan synthesis and cellular
adherence of cariogenic streptococci. Agric Biol Chem
1990;54(11):2925-29.
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