As the weather cools with the onset of fall, you may find yourself reaching for warm beverages throughout the day. In terms of dentistry, coffee can stain teeth, and hot chocolate is full of sugar that contributes to tooth decay. Green tea, however, is linked to a multitude of health benefits. Your Knoxville dentist, Dr. Jim Erpenbach, explains…
As the weather cools with the onset of fall, you may find yourself reaching for warm beverages throughout the day. In terms of dentistry, coffee can stain teeth, and hot chocolate is full of sugar that contributes to tooth decay. Green tea, however, is linked to a multitude of health benefits. Your Knoxville dentist, Dr. Jim Erpenbach, explains how green tea might even help fight gum disease.
Green Tea for Healthy Gums
Researchers at Kyushu University in Fukuoka, Japan studied green tea consumption amongst middle-aged men. Head researcher, Dr. Yoshihiro Shimazaki, and his team, examined 940 participants for signs of periodontal disease. The men, all between the ages of 49 and 59, filled out questionnaires highlighting smoking and drinking habits, oral hygiene, and green tea intake. The odds of having gum disease were significantly less in regular green tea drinkers. This is likely due to polyphenols inhibiting the growth of bacteria that causes gum disease. Dr. Shimazaki said good oral care is the most important thing to focus on, but the antioxidant compounds in green tea were a great supplement to proper oral hygiene.
Other Benefits of Green Tea
Green tea contains catechins, which are more powerful than vitamins C and E in fighting cellular damage. Green tea consumption has been linked to reduced risk for several types of cancer, heart disease, high cholesterol, and hypertension. Experts suggest drinking green tea at least three times a day to see health benefits from the beverage. Freshly brewed green tea is the most potent in terms of antioxidants. Instant and bottled teas are likely to have fewer of the compounds that help keep you healthy.
Dr. Erpenbach strongly believes in the connection between oral and overall health, and is a founding member of the American Academy for Oral Systemic Health. Our Knoxville dental office provides services including general, restorative, and cosmetic dentistry. To schedule an appointment, call us at 865-584-8630. Dr. Erpenbach is happy to serve patients in West Knoxville, the Bearden area, the 37919 zip code, and surrounding neighborhoods.
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