Originating from China, Green tea is a great natural product that has many medicinal properties on our general health and is also a booster for our oral health. The most important constituent are the polyphenols in green tea that acts as antioxidants to cure pathologies. This short review article discusses the composition, properties & importance of green tea in our oral health.

1. 8 STUDENT DIGEST | MUMBAI | JULY 2019
Oral Health
Green Tea:
“The Booster for Oral Health”
Mr. Hindol Das Ms. Mrinalini Singh
Interns
Maitri College of Dentistry & Research Centre
Anjora, Chhattisgarh
Introduction
Derived from the camellia sinesis plant, Tea is the most well liked beverage in the world. Different varities of tea includes Oolong
tea, black tea & green tea. Out of all these types, green tea is believed to exhibit the most health benefits and is a booster for our
oral health. The method of preparation of green tea is quite unique, it is unfermented & obtained by heat drying & steaming the tea
leaves, where no oxidation takes place. Green tea have abundant concentration of antioxidants due to the presence of polyphenols.
The pharmaceutical effects of green tea includes prevention of cancer, antioxidative, antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, lowering
cholesterol, neuroprotective, anti inflammatory & many more(1)
.
Abstract
Originating from China, Green tea is a great natural product that has many
medicinal properties on our general health and is also a booster for our oral
health. The most important constituent are the polyphenols in green tea that
acts as antioxidants to cure pathologies. This short review article discusses the
composition, properties & importance of green tea in our oral health.
Key Words
Green tea, oral health, polyphenols.
Constituents Examples
Polyphenols Four groups of Catechins:
Epigallocatechin-3-gallate(EGCG),
Epigallocatechin(EGC),
Epicatechin three gallate(EGC),
Epicatechin(EC)
Proteins Enzymes
Amino Acids Teanine, 5-Nethylglutamine,
Tryptophan, Glutamic acid,
Glycine, Serine, Aspartic acid,
Valine, Leucine, Theonine,
Tryosine, Lysine
Sterols Stigmasterol
Vitamins Vit B, C, E
Xanthic
Compounds
Caffeine & Theophylline
Carbohydrates Cellulose, Glucose, Pectin,
Fructose, Sucrose
Lipids Linolenic & Linoleic acids
Pigments Chlorophyll & Carotenoids
Volatile
Compounds
Aldehydes, Esters, Lactones,
Hydrocarbons
Minerals &
Trace Elements
Ca, Mg, Fe, Cu, Cr, Zn, Na, P, K, Se,
Sr, Co, F, Ni
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2. 9STUDENT DIGEST | MUMBAI | JULY 2019
Oral Health
Education
Properties of Green Tea
Antioxidant properties
Green tea is a rich source of antioxidants
exhibited by the polyphenols that
arrest oxidative DNA damage in our
body. It stops the action of reactive
oxygen species and free radicals(2)
. The
antioxidant property of green tea is
greater than that of oolong tea or black
tea.
Antiviral properties
Green tea is effective against the
human immunodeficiency virus(HIV),
Epstein-Barr virus, herpes simplex virus
& adenoviruses since the polyphenols
present in green tea inhibits viral
penetration into the cells , stops the
action of viral enzymes & cease viral
RNA synthesis(3)
.
Antifungal properties
Studies have shown that
Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) when
used in conjunction with antimycotics
decreases the growth of Candidia
albicans, hence green tea was found to
be an effective antifungal medication
for Candidiasis(4)
.
Anticarcinogenic properties
The polyphenols in green tea prevents
tumor initiation & promotion by
inactivating its biochemical markers and
inhibits genotoxicity & mutagenicity(5)
.
Importance of green tea in Oral
Health
Dental Caries
The green tea polyphenols namely
Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG)
preventsbacterialadherencetothetooth
surfaces, inhibits a amylase activity
in saliva, minimizes acid production
& suppresses lactate dehydrogenase
enzyme thereby mantaining the pH
and preventing the formation of lactic
acid. According to various research, it
has been found that green tea extract
mouthwash is very effective against
Streptococcus mutans & Lactobacillus
making it a great anticariogenic agent(6)
.
Teeth Wear
Green tea preserve the dentin from
dental abrasion & erosion because the
polyphenols (EGCG) fight against the
matrix metalloproteinases(MMPS)
found in dentin responsible for teeth
wear(7)
.
Periodontal Health
Green tea is very effective in the control
of dental plaque. According to a good
deal of research, it has also been found
that Green tea polyphenols retards
the proliferation of Porphyromonas
gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia &
Prevotella nigrescens & arrests the
attachment of P.gingivalis on human
buccal epithelial cells. It preserves
the periodontium by inducing bone
formation (osteoblastogenesis)
& suppressing bone resorption
(osteoclastogenesis)(8)
.
Halitosis
Studies proved, use of green tea
mouthwash remarkably reduces
the volatile sulphur compounds and
improves mouth breath(9)
. Many mouth
sprays & chewing gums contain green
tea polyphenols as principal constituent
that prevents halitosis.
Oral Malignancy
Green tea polyphenols arrests cell
invasion, encourage apoptosis, inhibits
tumor size & minimize pathological
changes thereby preventing the
incidence for oral malignancy(10)
.
Oral Oxidative Stress & Cigarette
Smoke Induced Inflammation
The polyphenols in green tea minimizes
the gingivival oxidative stress & protect
the salivary enzymes from oxidative
damage of cigarette smoking.
Conclusion
Green tea is a popular beverage &
healthdrink globally that has significant
therapeutic effects on both systemic
as well as oral health. The polyphenols
present in it is a rich source of
antioxidants that prevents dental caries,
teeth wear, halitosis, oral malignancy &
improves periodontal health. It must be
taken regularly as a dietary supplement
because of its unique properties that it
possess.
References
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in human health: An update. J Am Coll
Nutr 2002;21:1-3.
2. Zhang, J., Shen, X. Antioxidant activities
of baicalin, green tea polyphenols and
alizarin in vitro and in vivo. J. Nutr.Environ
Med. 1997;7 (2): 79-89
3. Sinija V. R., Mishra H. N. Green tea:
Health benefits. Journal of Nutritional
& Environmental Medicine 2008;17(4):
232-242
4. Wu CD, Wei GX. Tea as a functional food
for oral health. Nutrition 2002;18:443-4.
5. Anand K, Mariyam I A , Srivastava R K
, Wadhwani P , Khanna R . Green Tea
(ANatural Herb): Future Perspects in
Medicine & Dentistry. International
Ayurvedic Medical Journal 2013; 1( 6) :
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amylase by black and green teas and
their effects on the intraoral hydrolysis of
starch. Caries Res 1998;32:233-8.
7. Wiseman, S. A., Balentine, D. A., Frei, B.
Antioxidants in tea. Crit. Rev. Food Sci.
Nutr.1997; 37 (8): 705‐718
8. Kushiyama M, Shimazaki
Y, Murakami M , YamashitaY .
Relationship between Intake of Green
Tea and Periodontal Disease. Journal
of Periodontology 2009;80:372-377.
9. Rassameemasmaung S, Phusudsawang
P, Sangalungkarn V. Effect of green tea
mouthwash on oral malodor. ISRN Prev
Med 2013;2013:975148.
10. Li N, Han C, Chen J. Tea preparations
protect against DMBA-induced oral
carcinogenesis in hamsters. Nutr Cancer
1999;35:73-9.
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