GREEN TEA AND DENTAL PROBLEMS

Green tea's ability to fight bacteria isn't just limited to the digestive system. It can also play an important part in fighting bacteria in the mouth, helping to freshen the breath, ward off cavities and even protect against root canals!

Streptococcus mutans is the strain of bacteria primarily responsible for causing cavities. It clings to your teeth and uses the sugars in your mouth to produce a sticky, water-insoluble substance called plaque that coats your teeth. S. mutans and other bacteria then hang on to the plaque and convert sugar to lactic acid, which eats away at your tooth enamel. The combination of plaque and acid causes cavities.

Green tea catechins help fight dental cavities in three ways: they make it harder for the bacteria to cling to the teeth, inhibit the production of plaque, and actually destroy the S. mutans bacteria themselves. Studies have shown these effects can occur with as little as one cup of green tea. No wonder that the Japanese people have long held that drinking green tea "makes the mouth clean."

To learn more, click on some these key green tea-dental studies and expert opinions:

KEY HUMAN STUDIES

1) Green Tea Fights Acid Production of Cavity-Causing Bacteria
Rinsing with green tea catechins solution helps reduce the acid level in dental plaque.

2) Green Tea Catechins and Polyphenols Improve Health of the Gums
Chewing on sugar-free green tea candies reduces indices of plaque and bleeding.

3) Green Tea Polyphenols Combat Plaque
Taking tablets containing green tea polyphenols reduces the plaque index within 2 weeks.

4) Green Tea Catechins Improve Periodontal Health
Placing special strips containing green tea catechins into dental pockets improves periodontal health.

LABORATORY STUDIES

1) Green Tea Extracts Combat Root Canal Bacteria  

2) Green Tea Polyphenols Inhibit Bacterial Attachment to Teeth

3) Green Tea Interferes With Bacteria's Production of Glucan and Adherence to Teeth

4) Green Tea Suppresses the Growth of Cavity-Causing Bacteria

5) Green Tea Polyphenols Fight Bacteria That Cause Periodontal Disease  

Nadine Taylor, M.S., R.D. presents GreenTeaLibrary.com,  the most comprehensive collection of scientific information describing the many health benefits and properties of green tea.