One of the best drinks for your teeth is…
Green tea.
Yep, that’s right.
While it’s well known that green tea offers a host of health benefits – such as heart health, lose weight and cancer prevention – it also helps protect your smile as well.
So why green tea is good for you?
All true teas, such as black, oolong and green, come from the camellia sinesis plant. However, what sets green tea apart is how it’s made. Compared to the other tea varieties, green tea is a lot less processed and not fermented. This means it retains more its antioxidant properties, which help with fighting cancer, heart disease, and obesity.
One of the main benefits of green tea is that it isn’t soda or juice. While this might seem obvious, it’s important to point out. Sodas and juices are extremely acidic and can strip away your tooth enamel. Your enamel is your teeth’s main line of defense against oral problems, like cavities and decay. Green tea, in comparison, is gentle and won’t erode your gums and teeth.
Research shows that people who drink green tea regularly have better oral health than those who don’t. A study published in the Journal of Periodontology analyzed 940 Japanese men who had signs of gum disease (such as bleeding or receding gums). Those who drank at least 1 cup of green tea a day showed improvement in their gums.
Another study published by Preventive Medicine shows that green tea can help also prevent tooth loss. The researchers studied more than 25,000 Japanese men and women who drank green tea and found that folks who drank at least 1 cup a day were more likely to keep all their natural teeth.
These oral benefits could be because green tea contains catechins – an antioxidant which helps kill the bacteria which can cause tooth decay and gum disease.
Final thoughts
With all the health benefits that green tea offers, it would be foolish not to give it a try. Just keep in mind – don’t add sugar to your tea. Your mouth’s bacteria feed off sugar that produces acid which can erode your teeth. Also stay away from bottled ice teas, since these are loaded with sugar too.
Finding simple ways to protect your oral health – such as drinking green tea – will ensure your smile lasts a lifetime. You only have 1 set of teeth, so be sure to take care of it.
Sources:
123dentist.com. “Drinking Green Tea Can Strengthen Your Teeth” http://www.123dentist.com/drinking-green-tea-can-strengthen-your-teeth/
Delta Dental. “Tea is terrific for teeth (and great for gums, too)” http://www.deltadentalins.com/oral_health/tea.html
Amy Feinstein. “Sip on Green Tea for a Healthy Smile” http://recipes.howstuffworks.com/green-tea-for-a-healthy-smile.htm
Jessical Marshall. “Green Tea May Strengthen Your Teeth” http://news.discovery.com/human/health/green-tea-teeth-dental.htm