Tea-catechins｜9.Prevention of tooth decay

Is tooth decay inevitable?

There are four elements involved in tooth decay: 1. quality of tooth, 2. food consumption, 3. duration before cleaned, and 4. the bacteria S. mutans. None of these can be eliminated. In other words, there is the potential for tooth decay in all of us. Tooth decay is caused by the bacteria S. mutans, which produces dental plaque from the enzymatic synthesis of sugars in the diet. Increased levels of S. mutans can produce enough acid to dissolve a tooth.

Tea catechins double-block tooth decay

Tea catechins have an anti-bacterial effect and enzyme blocking effect. In the mouth, the anti-bacterial effect works to decrease the level of S. mutans, and the enzyme blocking effect inhibits the production of dental plaque, thus having a double preventative effect on tooth decay. The Deodorizing effect of tea catechins is also beneficial as it inhibits bad breath.

Prevention of tooth decay in rats by tea catechins.

A study was done to evaluate the effect of tea catechins on the prevention of tooth decay and including its anti-bacterial effect. Rats were fed a high sugar diet and a high sugar diet containing tea catechins for three weeks. Tooth decay appeared in the high sugar diet, but not in the diet with added tea catechins. The black spot in picture (A) is a dental plaque. Tea applied to teeth at various concentrations starting from standard drinking tea to dilutions many times weaker were tested. It was found that production of dental plaques were inhibited even at dilutions three to four time less concentrated then typical drinking tea. Figure (B) shows that S. mutans itself is suppressed by tea catechins.

(A) Anti-dental plaque effect of tea beverages

(B) Antibacterial effect of tea catechins against cariogenic bacterium S. mutans.