Green tea boosts anti-microbial properties of toothpaste

Susan Aldridge, PhD

Adding green tea extract to toothpaste and mouthwash kills bacteria and may help prevent tooth decay and bad breath.
The health benefits of green and black tea are now well known. They are thought to be due to the presence of compounds called polyphenols which can boost immunity and are thought to also prevent various forms of cancer.

Researchers at Pace University in New York City say that adding green tea extract and polyphenols to mouthwashes and toothpastes kills both bacteria and viruses, including the microbes that cause sore throats. Green tea was found to be more effective in killing viruses than either black tea or white tea. Caffeinated teas were more anti-viral than decaffeinated varieties. Maybe the research will lead to new oral health products with added green tea? In the meantime, you might be able to keep your teeth healthy by drinking green and black tea regularly.

Source: American Society for Microbiology General Meeting 20th May 2003

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