Effects of Tea Catechins on Oral Odor and Dental Plaque

Abstract

Dental caries and periodontal disease are known as two major diseases in the dental clinical field. It was reported that Streptococcus mutans caused the former, and an anaerobic bacteria like a Porphyromonas gingivalis caused the latter, and tea catechins like a (-) epigalo catechingallate (EGCg) have anti-microbial effects on the mouth flora. Then the effects of tea catechins on oral odor and dental plaque were studied using 0.25 % catechin solution, and two types of tests were conducted. One group was tested after only a single mouth washing. The second group washed daily over four-week period and was tested after the second and fourth weeks. The mouth was washed using 20ml of catechin solution for thirty seconds.
The results of the first group showed that the most effective term was the first fifteen minutes after rinsing. The rinsing remained effective for another 75 minutes, declining slowly. In the second group, the oral odor was inhibited continuously over the four weeks. The inhibition rate of the catechin solution was three times more effective than the control. The plaque score was reduced continuously. The simple regression of prevention of oral odor and the reduction of plaque score were positive. From the results, prevention of oral odor and reduction of plaque score with tea catechin was confirmed, and then the possibility of prevention of periodontal diseases using tea catechins was suggested.