Dr. Yoshihiro Shimazaki of Kyushu University in Fukuoka Japan, author of the study declared, “It has been long speculated that green tea possesses a host of health benefits. And since many of us enjoy green tea on a regular basis, my colleagues and I were eager to investigate the impact of green tea consumption on periodontal health, especially considering the escalating emphasis on the connection between periodontal health and overall health.”
The researchers studied 940 men and observed that people who consumed green tea on a regular basis had significantly lesser symptoms of periodontal disease. The study examined men between 49-59 years on the scale of three indicators of periodontal disease. These were periodontal pocket depth (PD), clinical attachment loss (CAL) of gum tissue, and bleeding on probing (BOP) of the gum tissue.
The results revealed that consumption of a cup of green tea on a daily basis demonstrated a fall in all three indicators. The study determined that green tea extract strongly inhibits various microorganisms, which occur in the mouth and contribute to tooth decay.
It also suggests that chemical antioxidant catechin in tea can destroy bacteria and viruses that cause throat infections, dental caries and other dental conditions. There is previous evidence that antioxidants
define reduce inflammation. The positive response of green tea in the study, in combating the body’s inflammatory response to periodontal bacteria suggests that the beverage may lower a person’s need for emergency dentistry.
Periodontal disease affects the gums and bone that support teeth. It has been known to be linked with the progression of diseases such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes. It raises the prospect of adding tea extracts to toothpaste and mouthwash to protect the teeth from anti viral agents.
Green tea is a subtle shade of light green/yellow. After the tea leaves are picked, they are lightly processed to prevent some natural changes taking place. Light steaming or gentle heat prevents oxidation and therefore preserving the naturally occurring antioxidants in green tea.
Dr David Cochran head of the department of periodontics at the University of Texas Health Science Centre at San Antonio, observed, “Periodontists believe that maintaining healthy gums is absolutely critical to maintaining a healthy body. That is why it is so important to find simple ways to boost periodontal health, such as regularly drinking green tea—something already known to possess certain health-related benefits.”
The findings are now published in the Journal of Periodontology.
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