Why Matcha Tea Is Actually Good For Your Teeth
You might have noticed that matcha tea is all the rage lately. It comes from the same plant as green tea, but growers do a few things differently to create a nutrient profile that is unique to the healthy tea (via Healthline). You may be aware that matcha tea offers a variety of health benefits like boosting brain function, protecting the liver, and weight loss. The tea's high antioxidant levels also works to help stabilize free radicals, preventing potential damage to cells throughout your body. However, you might not realize that there's another unexpected benefit from drinking tea from the Camellia sinensis plant. This delicious beverage benefits your teeth in addition to your body (via Ask The Dentist).
Mark Burhenne, DDS, explained that matcha and other green teas could contribute to good oral health, pointing to a study from Harvard. The researchers concluded that drinking green tea like matcha is linked to maintaining a healthy mouth.
Here's how matcha tea improves oral health
Dr. Mark Burhenne explained in detail why matcha tea helps improve and maintain oral health (via Ask The Dentist). He noted that the bright green beverage helps improve your mental health, and since your dental and mental health are related, it should lead to improved teeth habits. There are a few dental health advantages of drinking matcha tea, though, that are more direct.
A 2012 study published in the Archives of Oral Medicine, showed that the antioxidant EGCG, found in matcha tea, helps prevent the growth of cavity-causing bacteria in the mouth. An earlier study published in the Journal of Periodontology found that the tasty tea could help protect against gum disease due to a modest inverse association between drinking the green beverage and reduced periodontal disease. The antioxidant-laden drink may also help lessen the risk of oral cancer. Finally, drinking matcha tea can reduce bad breath because the compounds in the beverage work to keep the sulfur compounds in your mouth from causing a noxious odor.
The best part is matcha tea is easy to make and drink. It's as simple as whisking one to two teaspoons of matcha powder with two ounces of hot water (via Healthline). You can also add the tea to lattes, smoothies, or pudding while reaping the oral health benefits. One or two servings of high-quality, organic matcha tea each day should be enough to see results.