Green tea for healthy gums and teeth

Green tea has been a popular beverage in Asia for over 4000 years. Chinese and Japanese medicines embrace the belief that green tea consumption aids in curing disease and healing wounds. A recent study, published in the journal of periodontology, indicates that regular intake of Green tea might actually help fight against periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is a chronic bacterial infection affecting the gums and bone which support the teeth. Symptoms include bleeding, puffy gums and often involves bone loss. Whether this occurs around one tooth or several teeth, it is infection and it needs to be stopped. Chronic inflammatory conditions in the mouth have been directly linked to other diseases such as: heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, respiratory disease and pregnancy problems. Green tea contains an antioxidant called Catechin. It is believed that this antioxidant may reduce the body’s inflammatory reaction to the oral bacteria that cause periodontal disease and potentially support the health of gums and teeth. Your Dental Hygienist can help you identify risk factors for periodontal disease. So….brush your teeth twice per day, clean your tongue, floss before going to bed and try some green tea…..but not before going to bed.