en tea powder, has been found to have potential in fighting the bacteria that causes periodontitis. Periodontitis is a gum disease caused by bacterial infection and if not treated, it can lead to serious complications such as tooth loss. Additionally, it has been linked to other health issues like diabetes mellitus, preterm birth, cardiovascular disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and cancer. One of the main bacteria responsible for periodontitis is Porphyromonas gingivalis, which forms biofilms on teeth and multiplies in deep gum pockets.The green tea powder, known as matcha, has been found to potentially help in combating the bacteria P. gingivalis. Researchers in Japan reported in the journal Microbiology Spectrum that matcha was able to hinder the growth of P. gingivalis in laboratory experiments. Furthermore, a clinical study of 45 individuals with periodontitis found that those who used matcha mouthwash had significantly lower levels of P. gingivalis in their saliva samples compared to the beginning of the study. The researchers suggested that matcha could have practical use in preventing and treating periodontitis. Camellia sinensis, the plant from which matcha is derived, has been used for this purpose for a long time.examined the potential antimicrobial properties of green tea extract against bacteria, fungi, and viruses. A previous study involving mice demonstrated that the extract could hinder the growth of various pathogens, including Escherichia coli. Additionally, other research indicated that the extract could also impede the growth of P. gingivalis and decrease its attachment to oral epithelial cells. Furthermore, observational studies have linked green tea consumption to improved health. Matcha, which is utilized in traditional ceremonies and as a flavoring agent in beverages and desserts, is derived from the raw leaves of C. sinensis. The researchers from Nihon University conducted the new study.The School of Dentistry in Matsudo, along with the National Institute of Infectious Disease in Tokyo and other organizations, conducted a series of experiments in a laboratory setting to test how effective a matcha solution is against 16 different types of oral bacteria, including 3 strains of P. gingivalis. The results showed that the matcha mouthwash had minimal impact on the strains of normal oral bacteria.
However, within 2 hours of exposure to the matcha extract, almost all of the cultured P. gingivalis cells were destroyed, and after 4 hours, all of the cells were dead. These findings suggest that matcha has the ability to kill the pathogen. The study then went on to recruit 45 participant Individuals with chronic periodontitis were selected for a follow-up clinical study at Nihon University Hospital School of Dentistry in Matsudo. They were divided into three groups and given different types of mouthwash: barley tea, matcha extract, and sodium azulene sulfonate hydrate, which is commonly used to treat inflammation. Saliva samples were taken before and after the intervention, and PCR analysis was conducted. Participants were instructed to use the mouthwash twice a day. The results of the analysis showed that the group using matcha mouthwash had significant changes.There was a significant decrease in the level of P. gingivalis among patients who consumed matcha. However, the other 2 groups did not experience the same decrease. While this study is not the first to investigate the antimicrobial effects of tea-derived compounds on P. Gingivalis, it does support the potential benefits of matcha as part of a treatment plan for people with periodontal disease.
