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New toothpaste formula made with green tea that eases pain, prevents cavities

By Chukwuma Muanya, Assistant Editor
09 August 2017   |   4:11 am
Many people pass on hot or cold drinks because they know they would aggravate their sensitive teeth. But current toothpastes designed for easing sensitivity do not have long-lasting effects.

Many people pass on hot or cold drinks because they know they would aggravate their sensitive teeth. But current toothpastes designed for easing sensitivity do not have long-lasting effects.

Now scientists have invented a new formula made with an extract from green tea that could fix this problem – and help prevent cavities.

The study was published in the journal ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces.

Indeed, dental erosion is often the most common cause of pain or discomfort to the teeth.

A phytochemical in the herbal drink has previously been shown to fight a bacteria which causes tooth decay.

The new mixture combines this with an ingredient commonly used in sensitive toothpastes and an essential mineral for strong teeth.

Cui Huang from Wuhan University in China and colleagues wanted to tackle sensitivity and beat the bacteria at the same time.

The researchers took nanohydroxyapatite and a green tea extract epigallocatechin-3-gallate, or EGCG – which has been shown to fight streptococcus mutans, which forms biofilms that cause cavities.

These ingredients were combined with the mineral silica nanoparticles, which can stand up to acid and wear and tear.

The team tested this on extracted wisdom teeth and found that the formula plugged the dentin tubules. It also released EGCG for at least 96 hours and stood up to tooth erosion and abrasive brushing and prevented biofilm formation. It also showed low toxicity, say the researchers.

Green tea compounds also act as a natural breath freshener, according to Dr. Tim Bond from health group The Tea Advisory Panel.

He said: “It is well known that green tea catechins have number of benefits for dental and oral hygiene.

“The catechins (such as EGCG) stop adhesion of sugar containing materials – the basis of plaque, upon which bacteria feed – producing acids which accelerate erosion of the tooth surface.

“Their anti-bacterial effect also stops bacterial growth often causing dental pain and bad breath.

“A further action is that catechins ‘capture’ bad smelling sulphur compounds a natural breath freshener. This new research builds on green teas known effects and is an insightful addition to dental research.”

Previous study had shown that drinking at least one cup of green tea a day increases the odds of keeping your teeth as you age. The findings appeared in the journal Preventive Medicine.

The researchers suspect that antimicrobial molecules called catechins present in green tea and in lesser amounts in oolong tea provide the benefit.

But be careful if you take your tea with sugar: sweetener may negate the effect, it was found.

“Green tea may have bacteriocidal effects, which would affect teeth, but only if you drink it without sugar,” says Alfredo Morabia of Columbia University in New York and editor of Preventive Medicine, which published the findings.

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