The Benefits of Matcha for Oral and Dental Health

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Matcha is packed with numerous benefits (improves memory, reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases, etc.), and research continues to uncover new virtues. Among the recognized benefits of regularly consuming matcha, Japanese scientists reveal new findings on the effects of matcha on oral health.

Indeed, this finely ground green tea powder from Japan can help ward off the bacteria responsible for periodontitis. These findings reinforce the conclusions of several previous studies that reported the beneficial effects of green tea on the microbiome of the oral epithelium (oral flora) and micro-RNAs.

Matcha mouthwash inhibits the bacteria responsible for periodontitis

Periodontitis is an inflammatory gum disease caused by a bacterial infection.

The prevalence and severity of periodontal diseases increase with age, particularly after the age of 50. Men have poorer periodontal health than women, and certain ethnic and racial groups have a higher prevalence of periodontitis.

The lack of oral hygiene results in a buildup of biofilm leading to gingivitis, which often progresses to periodontitis. If left untreated, it can therefore lead to numerous complications, including tooth loss.

There is also a strong association between type 2 diabetes and periodontitis, with a higher prevalence and severity among diabetic subjects. This disease is also associated with premature births, cardiovascular diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, and cancer.

On the other hand, smokers have an increased prevalence and severity of periodontal diseases, and smoking inhibits the healing process of periodontal tissues.

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Matcha's superpowers for oral health

In addition to the essential oral hygiene habits, matcha mouthwash could be one of the key practices for well-being. According to the Japanese researchers, matcha may help ward off the bacterium Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis). Matcha inhibited the growth of P. gingivalis in laboratory experiments.

Moreover, in a clinical study involving 45 people with periodontitis, those who used a matcha mouthwash showed significantly lower levels of P. gingivalis in saliva samples than at the start of the study. Matcha could therefore have clinical applicability for the prevention and treatment of periodontitis.

The tea plant (Camellia sinensis, or C. sinensis) is a plant that has long been studied for its potential antimicrobial effects against bacteria, fungi, and viruses. A previous study revealed that green tea extract can inhibit the growth of pathogens, including Escherichia coli (E.coli).

Other research has shown that the extract can inhibit the growth of P. gingivalis and reduce its adherence to oral epithelial cells. In addition, observational studies have associated green tea consumption with better health.

Pour aller plus loin : A Review of Scientific Research on Matcha Tea →: Welcome to our selection of relevant articles and features covering scientific and medical research on tea (green tea, black tea, white tea), with a particular focus on Japanese matcha green tea.

Matcha is a true antimicrobial

Matcha, used in traditional ceremonies in Japan and to flavor drinks (matcha latte,…), sweets, and pastries, is made from raw leaves of C. sinensis. For this new study, researchers from the Nihon University Graduate School of Dentistry at Matsudo, the National Institute of Infectious Diseases in Tokyo, and other institutions conducted a series of in vitro experiments to test the effectiveness of a matcha solution against 16 species of oral bacteria, including 3 strains of P. gingivalis.

Within two hours, almost all cultivated P. gingivalis cells were killed by the matcha extract, and after four hours of exposure, all the cells were dead. These results suggest bactericidal activity against the pathogen, and therefore the potential of matcha mouthwash.

The researchers then recruited 45 people with chronic periodontitis for a follow-up clinical study. The patients were randomly divided into three groups: the first group received a barley tea mouthwash, the second a mouthwash made with matcha extract, and the third a mouthwash containing sodium azulene sulfonate hydrate, used to treat inflammation. Saliva samples were collected before and after the intervention and analyzed by PCR (polymerase chain reaction), and participants were asked to rinse their mouths twice a day.

Finally, the analysis revealed that the patients in the group that used a matcha mouthwash showed a significant reduction in P. gingivalis levels. The patients in the other two groups did not show the same significant reduction.

Although the new study is not the first to probe the antimicrobial effects of tea-derived compounds on P. gingivalis, the researchers note that it supports the potential benefits of matcha as part of a treatment plan for people with periodontal disease, and for the well-being of the oral flora.

How to prepare a matcha mouthwash?

This green tea powder has natural antiseptic properties and is rich in antioxidants. Its use in cosmetics is becoming increasingly trendy (matcha face mask,...), and it could also become an ally for your oral health.

However, before giving you the recipe, it is worth noting that matcha can very slightly stain the teeth of some people if used too frequently. Therefore, it is recommended not to exceed one use per day.

The procedure for creating your homemade matcha mouthwash recipe is simple, and it is advisable to use an organic culinary-grade matcha rather than a ceremonial-grade matcha. This is not only to avoid wasting premium matcha, but also to reduce the cost of your mouthwash.

Recipe for your matcha mouthwash

■ Heat water to about 75-80°C (not boiling, in order to preserve the properties of matcha).

In a small bowl or cup:

• Pour in about 60-80 ml of hot water;
• Add 1/2 teaspoon of organic matcha green tea;
• Gently stir with a spoon until completely dissolved;
• Make sure to let it cool down to room temperature.

How to use:

• Take a sip of the matcha mouthwash and keep the liquid in your mouth for about 30 seconds;
• Swish the solution around your entire mouth;
• Spit it out, then repeat if necessary;
• Then rinse with clean water.

Jimmy Braun - November 2024

Sources

1. Nakao R., Takatsuka A., Mandokoro K., et al. (2024). " Multimodal inhibitory effect of matcha on Porphyromonas gingivalis". Microbiology Spectrum. DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.03426-23. https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/spectrum.03426-23
2. "The benefits of green tea on oral flora and against mouth cancer". (2018). https://blognutritionsante.com/2018/04/17/the-vert-bienfaits-flore-buccale/
3. " Effects of green tea on miRNA and microbiome of oral epithelium", Scientific Reports, (2018), volume 8, Article No. 5873. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-018-22994-3

Kumiko Matcha does not provide medical advice, and all of the information (texts, links, images) available on the site cannot, in any way whatsoever, answer specific medical questions. The content (nutrition and health claims) is exclusively for informational purposes and does not replace the medical advice, diagnoses, or treatments provided by a healthcare professional. For any questions regarding your health, speak directly with your primary care physician or your pharmacist. Kumiko Matcha disclaims all liability for any direct or indirect consequences that may result from the use, consultation, or interpretation of the information provided on this site.

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