WHAT EVERYONE NEEDS TO KNOW ABOUT HOW TEA MAY AFFECT THE HEALTH OF YOUR TEETH AND GUMS

Second only to water, tea is one of the most often consumed beverages in the world.  Americans have a renewed interest in the health benefits of tea. 

 

I have chosen to review the general and specific health benefits of drinking tea....as related to your teeth and gums.  

What is YOUR favorite variety of tea?  I assume it falls within the four main types.  I'll discuss these in a bit.  As a staple of Chinese life, tea is considered to be 1 of the 7 necessities of Chinese culture.  The drinking of tea dates back to the third millenium BCE, when the famous Chinese emperor and herbalist, Shen Nong, discovered the special brew.  Today, tea is consumed all around the world and is highly sought after for its remarkable health benefits.  As of 2011, Great Britain had the highest tea consumption in the world.  Americans have recently renewed their interest in tea.  Lets learn how drinking this very ancient brew can help maintain our smiles beautiful and healthy!

All real teas are derived from the leaves of a Chinese indigenous plant known as the Camellia sinensis.  Catechins are the flavonoids/polyphenols that are responsible for the medicinal properties of tea.  These provide the antioxidant attributes that the brew is commonly known for.  There are four main varieties of teas, all of which undergo similar processing and manufacturing.  The difference between them lies in the amount of polyphenolic concentration found in each.  

Varieties of Tea:

• GREEN: contains a higher concentration of catechins than most teas/nonfermented
• BLACK:  contains a lower concentration of catechins than the others and has the strongest flavor/fully oxidized and fermented
• OOLONG: partially oxidized and fermented
• WHITE: may actually offer more health benefits than green tea because it undergoes no fermentation at all, retaining the highest possible concentration of cathechins

 

• The best known benefit of drinking tea is the antioxidant capability of the catechins it contains.  These are electron donors, meaning that they contain free electrons that can be paired with other less beneficial electrons found in the human body, thereby preventing a chain reaction of damaging effects.  

Before discussing specific oral health benefits afforded from tea consumption, lets highlight general health benefits this special beverage may relay.

Cardiovascular Benefits

           The catechins found in tea promote vasodilation of the blood vessels and have been shown to help prevent further injury to the blood supply after periods of ischemia or hypoxia. Studies have shown a link between tea consumption and a significant reduction of coronary heart disease.  Furthermore, catechins and flavins found in these varieties of teas have helped reduce cardiovascular disease caused by plaque buildup.  Although interesting, additional studies and research is necessary to confirm these findings.

Neurological Benefits

            The polyphenolic contents found in tea have been shown to cross the blood brain barrier, thereby positively affecting brain function, neurodegenerative disorders, and psychiatric disorders. Different studies have suggested that these compounds found in green tea may be helpful in treating patients with Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia.

Reducing Cancer Risk 

             Many studies have shown a correlation between the compounds found in green tea and the reduction in the risk of digestive system cancers.  Although hopeful, other studies have reported that tea has no correlation with cancer.  Further research is necessary.

Other Health Benefits

               Green Tea:  shown to reduce the deleterious effects of cigarette smoking

              Black Tea:   reported to lower blood pressure due to its function on blood vessels

              White Tea:  shown to have a quality that battles obesity

              Other tea varieties have been associated with a reduction in diabetes, stroke, and osteoporosis.

Oral Health Benefits

Although associated with discoloration of the teeth resulting from the pigmented compounds know as chromogens, tea consumption has been shown to help improve overall oral health.  

• Green Tea extract has been associated with inhibitory effects on certain bacteria responsible for both dental caries ( cavities ) and periodontitis.   One study showed that consuming more than one cup of green tea per day reduces the risk for tooth loss.
• Oolong tea has been associated with a reduction in dental caries by reducing the effect of a specific enzyme responsible for allowing caries-producing bacteria to attach to enamel.
• A study showed that the compounds found in green tea played an inhibitory effect on the growth and development of oral squamous carcinoma.  Results showed a significant reduction in precancerous cellular change.

Although beneficial, tea consumption does pose a risk involving its high content of flouride. Having about 5-6 times the amount of flouride levels recommended by the US Environmental Protection Agency, it can pose a risk for skeletal flourosis and developmental tooth defects.  

Tea drinking continues to gain popularity as people are learning of its various health benefits. As detailed above, the antioxidant qualities of tea relay a health benefit across multiple systemic diseases, spanning the areas cancer, cardiovascular disease , obesity, and diabetes.  Entering dentistry, tea has been shown to reduce the risk of dental caries, periodontal disease, and even oral cancer. Despite its association with improved oral health, studies have shown negative effects as well.  Further studies are necessary to better understand tea's impact on general and oral health.

Information used in this blog entry was borrowed from the Journal of General Dentistry.  Special thanks to Moshe M. Rechthand, Judith A. Porter, DDS, and Nasir Bashirelahi, PhD for their contribution to the article entitled "What Every Dentist Should Know About Tea".

Remember, I am available to answer your questions regarding oral health issues and treatment.  We're here to assist YOU in creating that "Smile You'd Be Proud To Wear...ANYWHERE!"