Green tea consumption significantly prevents tooth decay
Multiple in vitro, in vivo, and systematic reviews support the claim that green tea consumption and its active catechins (such as EGCG) help prevent tooth decay by inhibiting the growth, biofilm formation, and acid production of caries-associated bacteria like Streptococcus mutans.
The retrieved literature robustly supports the claim that green tea components (particularly EGCG) possess anti-cariogenic properties. Multiple in vitro studies, reviews, and clinical syntheses demonstrate that green tea catechins suppress Streptococcus mutans biofilm formation, reduce acid production, and lower bacterial counts associated with tooth decay. There are no papers refuting this claim.
Xin Xu, Xuedong Zhou, Christine D. Wu. Tea catechin epigallocatechin gallate inhibits Streptococcus mutans biofilm formation by suppressing gtf genes.. 2012. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.archoralbio.2011.10.021
Paper [0] demonstrates that EGCG from green tea inhibits Streptococcus mutans biofilm formation by suppressing gtf genes.
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M. Hirasawa, K. Takada, S. Otake. Inhibition of Acid Production in Dental Plaque Bacteria by Green Tea Catechins. 2006. https://doi.org/10.1159/000092236
Paper [2] finds that green tea catechins effectively reduce acid production in dental plaque and mutans streptococci.
Mor Schneider-Rayman, Doron Steinberg, Ronit Vogt Sionov, Michael Friedman, Miriam Shalish. Effect of epigallocatechin gallate on dental biofilm of Streptococcus mutans: An in vitro study. 2021. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12903-021-01798-4
Paper [3] shows that EGCG has a significant inhibitory effect on S. mutans dental biofilm formation and exopolysaccharide production.
T. Higuchi, N. Suzuki, S. Nakaya, Sami Omagari, M. Yoneda, T. Hanioka, T. Hirofuji. Effects of Lactobacillus salivarius WB21 combined with green tea catechins on dental caries, periodontitis, and oral malodor.. 2019. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.archoralbio.2018.11.027
Paper [4] indicates that combining L. salivarius with EGCG helps control dental caries and oral pathogens.
Milad Kashi, Mahdieh Varseh, Yasaman Hariri, Z. Chegini, A. Shariati. Natural compounds: new therapeutic approach for inhibition of Streptococcus mutans and dental caries. 2025. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2025.1548117
Paper [5] reviews natural compounds including EGCG, highlighting their ability to inhibit S. mutans and dental caries.
Jian Yu, Luyao Yi, R. Guo, Jingmei Guo, Hongye Yang, Cui Huang. The Stability of Dentin Surface Biobarrier Consisting of Mesoporous Delivery System on Dentinal Tubule Occlusion and Streptococcus Mutans Biofilm Inhibition. 2021. https://doi.org/10.2147/IJN.S290254
Paper [6] demonstrates a mesoporous delivery system releasing EGCG that successfully inhibits S. mutans biofilm for up to a month.
Mayu Higuchi, Y. Abiko, J. Washio, N. Takahashi. Antimicrobial effects of epigallocatechin-3-gallate, a catechin abundant in green tea, on periodontal disease-associated bacteria.. 2024. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.archoralbio.2024.106063
Paper [7] shows that EGCG exhibits antibacterial activity against caries-associated and periodontal bacteria.
Prawati Nuraini, Mega Moeharyono Puteri, EksaArinda Pramesty. Anti-biofilm Activity of Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) against Streptococcus mutans bacteria. 2021. https://doi.org/10.52711/0974-360x.2021.00875
Paper [8] concludes that EGCG effectively inhibits S. mutans biofilm formation, acting as a potent natural antibiofilm agent.
Amy Lynn Melok, Lee H. Lee, Siti Ayuni Mohamed Yussof, Tinchun Chu. Green Tea Polyphenol Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate-Sterate Inhibits the Growth of <em>Streptococcus mutans</em>: A Promising New Approach in Caries Prevention. 2018. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints201807.0138.v1
Paper [9] reports that EGCG derivatives inhibit the growth and biofilm formation of S. mutans, showing potential as anticariogenic agents.
S. Ahmed, K. Sudhir, V. Reddy, R. Kumar, G. Srinivasulu. Green Tea in the Prevention of Dental Caries A Systematic Review. 2017. https://doi.org/10.21276/IABCR.2017.3.1.1
Paper [10] confirms in a systematic review that green tea and its extracts exhibit an inhibitory effect on dental caries and reduce bacterial levels.
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