Oral Health Improved by Herbal Tea

By CP Staff

Intake of a popular herbal tea can reduce the risk of tooth loss, according to a new study. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 7 percent of Americans have lost at least one permanent tooth by the age of 17, and in adults between the ages of 35 and 44, 69 percent have lost at least one permanent tooth. Furthermore, 26 percent of Americans aged 65 to 74 years of age have lost all of their natural teeth.

In this new study, researchers evaluated the daily intake of green tea in 25,078 Japanese adults between 40 and 64 years of age. Tooth loss in the subjects was also reported.

The results showed that drinking at least one cup of green tea per day significantly decreased the risk of tooth loss. The data indicated that in the subjects with up to 20 teeth still remaining, the risk of tooth loss decreased by 18 percent in the subjects who drank 1-4 cups of green tea per day and by 23 percent in those that drank 5 or more cups per day, compared to the subjects that drank less than one cup of green tea per day. Similar data was also obtained in the subjects with less than ten or up to 25 teeth.

The study authors concluded, “The present findings indicate an association of green tea consumption with decreased odds for tooth loss.”

Reference:

Koyama Y, Kuriyama S, Aida J, Sone T, Nakaya N, Ohmori-Matsuda K, Hozawa A, Tsuji I. Association between green tea consumption and tooth loss: Cross-sectional results from the Ohsaki Cohort 2006 Study. Prev Med. 2010 Apr;50(4):173-179.

Individuals interested in improving their oral health can chew Unique Sweet Xylitol Gum, Green Tea Flavor. Furthermore, individuals who do not want to consume large amounts of green tea as a beverage can take green tea extract capsules. The green tea extract available here is very low in caffeine and has a high EGCG content.