Unsweetened Green Tea Excellent for Dental Health

Want to have cleaner, fresher breath? Healthier gums and teeth? Keep your teeth a lifetime? Recent studies from China, Japan and the U.S. all confirm that drinking unsweetened green tea will give you all that, and more.

The common thread in all these studies is the recognition that powerful antioxidants are the "good guys"that are especially good for oral health. Those powerful antioxidants include polyphenols also abundant in fruits and vegetables but tea has eight to ten times as many of these disease fighters than produce. And, with 50 to 150 types of polyphenols present in green tea from China and Japan, there's no wonder that they can destroy the "bad guys", those free radicals that cause disease.

Here's how antioxidants in green tea work: They reduce the accumulation of both dental plaque and the acidity of saliva in the mouth. Less plaque means cleaner teeth. Less acidity means stronger tooth enamel and healthier gums that can stand up to periodontal disease. Drinking green tea, like Dragonwell from China and Sencha from Japan, over a lifetime is not only pleasurable and delicious, it will help protect tooth loss from cellular damage that could destroy tooth enamel or compromise gum health.

On top of that, studies of participants who drink green tea show that it knocks out bad breath longer and more efficiently than from chewing parsley, eating mints or chewing sugar-free gum! The reason is those powerful good guys again. Polyphenols reduce the bacterial compounds that linger in the mouth after eating or when ill.

There are a few simple things to know to get the best flavor and the most health benefits:

The reason for the lower temperatures and shorter brewing times is that green tea is not oxidized like oolongs and blacks; it is simply air dried, shaped and it's ready to drink while oolongs and blacks are heated to varied degrees of dry. Think of green teas like heating fresh greens. You want to steam it to softness but not boil all the goodness away. Take a look at the wide variety of green teas we offer including several samplers, the perfect way to introduce the novice to the taste, the delight, the infinite variety available in green teas from around the world.

Not sure which green tea to try first? Do try one of our samplers. Lots of choices, lots of flavors. Here are two of our top sellers:

While drinking green tea is positive for dental health, common sense dental care is still important. Flossing at night, brushing one's teeth twice a day and regular dental checkups all can insure that concerns are caught early and treated promptly.

If you're prone to cavities, do not sweeten green tea because bacteria loves sugar and sugar produces the acids that can eat away at the enamel on your teeth, or irritate gums. Also, avoid citric acid which wears away enamel.

Not to worry if you love your tea silky sweet and flavorful. Adagio has legions of delightful green teas blended without sweeteners but with exotic fruits or flowers or other yummy flavors. Check out our classic jasmine greens or thoroughly contemporary recipes with mango, cherry or raspberry (not to worry, there are many others.)

One way to add to good dental health care is to rinse your mouth for three to five minutes each night with room-temperature brewed unflavored green tea. You'll have fresher breath, healthier gums and stronger teeth.

Here's a recipe to consider; it has the addition of peppermint for even more bad breath reduction.

Mouthwash
This mouthwash is a two-day process, however, you can make enough to use for several weeks.

The next day, strain the mixture through a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth into a second bottle. Add the benzoin (or myrrh tincture), shake well, and cover tightly. Keep in a cool cupboard. Use as a mouth wash or to treat sore gums.

Yield: About 1 ½ cups