Tea Drinkers: Read This

When someone suggests ordering tea with your meal, what tea do you generally think of? In Texas, it sure isn’t going to be a hot cup of anything. 

For most Texans and southerners, sweet iced tea is the first thing that comes to mind. Many people enjoy a glass of sweet tea during meals—however, painful though it is for some of us, an excess of sweet tea in particular can be harmful to your teeth. 

But, what about other kinds of teas? Herbal teas, green teas, morning breakfast teas? The variety can be overwhelming, especially for those that don’t traditionally drink infusions. However, if you are looking for an alternative to your morning coffee or an after-dinner beverage, tea can be both beneficial for you whole body and oral health. 

Keep reading as we outline the health benefits of hot tea and help you feel more confident choosing which you may like best next time you’re presented with a plethora of options! 

Green tea  

If you’re looking to cut down on your daily coffee consumption, green tea is a good substitute that still offers the caffeine you crave without the harmful tooth staining that can come with that rich ground bean. 

Green tea is incredibly popular worldwide and has been proven to decrease your risks of developing cancer and cardiovascular complications. Antioxidants found in green tea also help prevent against cell damage in the brain and has shown to slow the progression of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. 

In addition, green tea has been shown to reduce the symptoms or periodontal diseases thanks to its ability to reduce inflammation in the body. The antioxidants also help control bacteria levels in the mouth, in turn helping lower the acidity of salvia and dental plaque which wards off cavities, too. And even just swishing with green tea after a meal has been proven to boost gum health. 

Black tea 

Drinking black tea—particularly between meals—has been proven to reduce cavities and plaque. Researchers even discovered that black tea infusion can suppress the growth of the bacteria that cling to the surfaces of teeth and lead to periodontal diseases. Polyphenols, a specific element of black tea, is the component that has been found to kill the harmful bacteria in the mouth.  

Black tea is the most popular tea variation in western cultures, so local researchers have been anxious to study its health benefits. Be careful to read the fine print on any study, however, because these researchers are quick to point out that their study relied solely on black tea, and rightly so. These studies and their suggested health benefits also refer to a pure cup of tea without honey, sugar or milk. 

White tea 

White tea is the most overlooked variety of tea, especially in western cultures. However, due to the way it’s made with minimal processing, it can actually pack more of a health punch than its richer counterparts.  

Since white tea is considered a purer form of tea, it contains a higher level of antioxidants than both green and black tea—put together. The compounds found in white tea help reduce plaque formation and inhibit the growth of bad bacteria, too. In addition, white tea contains naturally-occurring fluoride that protects the teeth against cavities. Now THAT’S a good cup of tea! 

Iced tea 

It’s important to note that not all iced tea is bad! In fact, it can be a great substitute for sugary sodas or juices. However, it’s equally important to differentiate between sweet and unsweetened ice tea. The latter provides similar health benefits to the previous teas discussed. It helps ward of dehydration and balances the pH levels in your mouth to prevent bacteria growth. However, iced tea laden with sugar can cause excessive bacteria buildup in the mouth as a major contributing factor to cavities and gum disease. Just like with all sweets, it’s important to drink it in moderation and brush your teeth at least 30 minutes after consuming.