Scientists believe that drinking tea may be a good way to keep your teeth healthy. They have discovered that compounds found in black tea may attack harmful bacteria in the mouth that cause gum disease and cavities. A team from the University of Illinois College of Dentistry studied the black teas found that compounds in it were capable of killing or suppressing growth and acid production of cavity-causing bacteria in dental plaque. Black tea also affects the bacterial enzyme glucosyltranferase, which is responsible for converting sugars into the sticky matrix material that plaque uses to adhere to teeth. In addition, certain plaque bacteria, upon exposure to black tea, lost their ability to form the clumpy aggregates with other bacteria in plaque, thereby reducing the total mass of the dental plaque. One experiment showed that when volunteers rinsed with black tea for 30 seconds five times at three-minute intervals, plaque bacteria stopped growing and producing acid, which breaks down the teeth and causes cavities. The British Dental Association said both black and green tea could help to combat the build-up of plaque. Dentists also feel that drinks such as tea are a good alternative to soft drinks since tea is non-erosive. Tea was also a good source of fluoride, which can help to protect the teeth. Since, 98% of people take their tea with milk, it also provided a good source of calcium. [Source: AFP/BBC] |
