In the March, 2009 Journal of Periodontology Dr Yoshihiro Shimazaki of Kyushu University in Fukuoka, Japan and his colleagues in the Department of Preventive Dentistry report their discovery of a protective effect for green tea against periodontal disease, a chronic inflammatory disorder of the gums and bone surrounding the teeth. The drink, which is traditionally consumed in Asia, has increasingly been the subject of research that has revealed a variety of positive effects.
"It has been long speculated that green tea possesses a host of health benefits," Dr Shimazaki observed. “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 study included 940 Japanese men aged 49 to 59. Self-administered questionnaires obtained information on daily green tea intake, toothbrushing habits, and other factors. Periodontal disease was evaluated during oral examinations which assessed probing depth, bleeding on probing, and clinical attachment loss.
For each cup of green tea consumed by the participants, a decrease in all three indicators of periodontal disease was observed. The apparent protective effect of the drink on the gums observed in the study may be due to antioxidants in green tea known as catechins, which help reduce the mouth’s inflammatory response to periodontal bacteria.
"Periodontists believe that maintaining healthy gums is absolutely critical to maintaining a healthy body," noted Dr David Cochran, DDS, PhD, who is the President of the American Academy of Periodontology. "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."
—D Dye
March 06, 2009
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