Tea is one of the most consumed beverages in the world and it comes in second only to water. It is well known that tea can have several health benefits for the body. As a great alternative to coffee, tea has less caffeine and can boost your metabolism. What most people might not expect is that your oral health can benefit from drinking tea as well. Tea can be a great option for those of you who are struggling to find an alternative to soda or coffee because you don’t want enamel erosion or teeth staining. Certain teas can even fight off tooth decay which can lead to tooth loss. For those who are already dealing with tooth loss, we offer dental implants as the premier option for tooth restoration. Whether you have natural teeth or dental implants, your oral health can benefit from drinking tea. Today, Dr. Snider of Lake Country Dental in Fort Worth, TX explains how tea can improve your oral health.
Drinking Tea and Oral Health
Your oral health can benefit in different way depending on the type of tea. One thing to note is these benefits only work with unsweetened tea. Adding sugar can actually cause damage to your teeth because the sugar will mix with any bacteria in your mouth to make an acidic substance that erodes your tooth enamel. If you keep your tea unsweetened, it is chock full of oral health benefits. Here are a few types of teas and their benefits for your teeth.
Green Tea: This tea is made from the Camellia sinensis plant which contains polyphenols, a powerful antioxidant. This actually helps protect against cellular damage and cancerous growth. Green tea also has anti-inflammatory properties which help control gum disease and it can help prevent cavities because it lowers the acidity of saliva and dental plaque. This tea can also kill microbes that cause bad breath. In recent studies, green tea was found to be more effective than mints, chewing gum and parsley-seed oil.
Black Tea: Black tea has also been found to be beneficial for oral health. Like green tea, black tea combats bacteria in the mouth. Polyphenols in tea leaves help inhibit the growth of oral bacteria.
Herbal Tea: Herbal teas like chamomile or peppermint won’t harm or benefit your teeth, but many other herbal teas can actually damage your teeth. Fruit based herbal teas can dissolve tooth enamel because of the acidity. If you’re looking for teas to benefit your oral health, make sure you’re choosing a green or black tea.
Contact our Office in Fort Worth, TX
If you’re suffering from tooth loss, consider dental implants for your restoration needs. Dental implants can give you the most natural looking smile that can last the rest of a patient’s life. Call our office to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation to start your dental implant process.