While making an appointment with your dentist is still recommended to eliminate tartar, a daily drink could help limit the proliferation of bacteria responsible for dental plaque.
A drink with multiple effects
According to a recent study published in the Journal of Periodontology, Regular consumption of unsweetened green tea is linked to a reduction in dental plaque and an improvement in gingival health. Catechins (antioxidant polyphenols present in green tea) would in fact stop the growth of the microorganisms responsible for the formation of plaque.
In addition, green tea promotes the natural self-cleaning of the mouth (carried out in part by salivation), thus helping to prevent cavities. To benefit from these benefits, drinking green tea at a rate of two to three cups per day, at the end of a meal, would be recommended.
But what do our experts think about the effects of green tea? We asked three experts… and here is their opinion.
Green tea and oral health: the opinion of our experts
According to Dr. Jérémy Amzalag, dental surgeon and author of the medico-dental encyclopedia Capital Dents, the anti-tartar effects of green tea remain limited.
“It is indicated in conclusion that there is a modest inverse association between the consumption of green tea and periodontal disease. Not enough to draw miraculous benefits from it”, he warns. “That said, green tea can’t do any harm, other than coloring your teeth in the long term.” he specifies.
Dr Loïc Ballongue, for his part, is more convinced. “The consumption of green tea is beneficial, provided that it is combined with correct dental hygiene and an annual check-up by a serious practitioner”, specifies the dental surgeon.
Thus, green tea cannot replace rigorous dental hygiene: it does not dissolve the tartar already present, which can only be eliminated by professional scaling, and its preventive effect remains limited if daily brushing and interdental cleaning are not carried out.
“The antibacterial effect of green tea also depends on how it is consumed, its quality and the frequency of consumption,” adds Julie Boët, dietitian nutritionist. Overall, “Drinking green tea is a good idea because this drink offers many general health benefits, including a protective effect against oxidative stress, support for metabolism and a contribution to better cardiovascular health. she adds.
Tartar and nutrition: good practices to adopt
Diet plays an indirect but significant role in the formation of tartar.
- Foods rich in simple sugars, “like sugary drinks, pastries or biscuits, constitute a real fuel for oral bacteria, which produce acids capable of damaging enamel and promote dental plaque”, confirms Julie Boët.
- Frequent snacking also limits “the time during which saliva can neutralize these acids and naturally clean the mouth”, she continues;
- Conversely, foods high in fiber, such as raw fruits and vegetables, “can exert a beneficial mechanical effect on the teeth, and good hydration helps maintain salivation, which constitutes the first natural barrier against plaque and tartar. concludes the expert.
Enough to change your eating routine now!