Green Tea Helps Prevent Periodontal Disease

Periodontal disease has, in the last couple of decades, been found to be associated with diabetes, heart disease, dementia, and cancer. Periodontitis is much more than a local infection of the gums; it can cause changes elsewhere in the body. Like chronic inflammation elsewhere in the body, it can lead to raised levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides, as well as immuno-modulating agents called cytokines. So anything that helps you avoid developing periodontitis is worth looking at.

One of the latest candidates is green tea. A study published in the Journal of Periodontology Online reports results of dental exams in 940 men aged 49 to 59. They were inspected on 3 separate occasions, with evaluation of periodontal pocket depth, clinical attachment loss of gum tissue, and bleeding on probing of gum tissue. For every cup of green tea drunk a day there was a decrease in these three indicators of gum disease.

The researchers state that the relationship between green tea consumption was “modest” but important. Green tea has other health benefits, and regular intake may boost periodontal health, and thereby ward off the associated risks of more serious diseases.  Note: if you don’t care for green tea, red wine has been reported to have the same beneficial effect!)