Over the last few decades, green tea has become increasingly popular in America. Once the relic of Chinese restaurants, it’s now found all over the place. You’ve probably noticed the number of green-tea flavored food products popping up in your stores, and maybe you have a friend or two who swears by a glass of green tea every morning. Indeed, green tea may benefit your oral health! But avoid bottled varieties of pre-brewed green tea with a high sugar content, as this will counteract its health benefits.
Table of Contents
Prevents Tooth Decay & Cavities
Because green tea lowers the acidity of saliva, it can help prevent cavities. The less acidic your mouth is, the less damage bacteria will be able to do to your teeth.
Slows Gum Disease
Studies have found that green tea drinkers had healthier gums than non-tea drinkers. The more green tea someone drank, the better their gum health was overall, and they experienced less gum tissue inflammation and bleeding than others. It’s possible that this is due to the antioxidant catechin, which affects the body’s inflammatory response.
Freshens Breath
Green tea kills microbes that create bad breath. Green tea may work even better than mints and gum when it comes to handling foul-smelling breath.
Continue Your Oral Care Routine
So there you have it: green tea is a natural salve for many dental-related problems. But that doesn’t mean you should rely on drinking green tea alone to keep your oral health in great condition! You should keep up your regular routine of brushing twice a day, flossing once a day, and visiting the dentist every six months.
If you want to know how to make your teeth and gums healthier or if you’re ready for that six-month checkup, contact our friendly Apple Springs Family Dentistry team today!