Effect of Green Tea and Black Tea on Mineralization of Artificially Demineralized Human Enamel in Comparison with 0.05% Sodium Fluoride: An in vitro Study

Abstract

Introduction:The newer preventive approach to caries has resulted in the increased use of remineralizing agents. The remineralizing ability of green tea and black tea is under research. Materials and methods:Two hundred premolar teeth were collected and a buccal window was exposed on the tooth sample by coating the rest of the teeth with nail varnish. The samples were artificially demineralized using Featherstone pH cycling technique. The test solutions of green tea and black tea were prepared by dissolving 2 gm of the prepared extract in 180 mL of water; 0.05% NaF solution was prepared by dissolving 5 gm of NaF in 1 L of distilled water. A total of 50 samples each were treated with the four test solutions, green tea, black tea, NaF and distilled water (control) for 4 minutes per day for 1 week. The samples were excited using diode laser and the fluorescence spectra were measured using laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy. Results:The highest remineralization was shown by samples treated with green tea, followed by NaF. Black tea showed lower remineralization than both green tea and NaF and the least remineralization was shown by the control, distilled water. The difference in remineralization shown by the test solutions was statistically significant except for the difference between black tea and distilled water. Conclusion:All the three test groups, green tea, black tea, and NaF, showed remineralization. Green tea induced the highest remineralization in the tooth samples, followed by NaF. Black tea produced the least amount of remineralization. Green tea may have a potential role as a remineralizing agent for daily intake.

Comparative evaluation of the effect of black and green tea on artificially demineralized permanent enamel: in vitro study

“…Within-group comparison showed a significant increase in the microhardness values as compared to the demineralization phase. Several studies were in agreement with the result of the present study as they reported the remineralizing effect of black and green tea using different methods of assessment (4,(29)(30)(31) . This effect could be due to the availability of fluoride content in the black and green tea infusions.…”

“…In addition, in their study, they worked on primary teeth while the current study was conducted on permanent teeth. Similarly, Babu et al (4) concluded that green tea has a higher amount of remineralization ability as compared to black tea. They referred this result to the high catechin fraction which is responsible for its antibacterial properties.…”

“…Following demineralization, a decrease in the enamel microhardness was noted, due to enamel softening through a chemical dissolution of enamel rods and voids creation (3) . Many approaches were introduced for caries eradication throughout the years (4) . Recently, the combat of caries took place through prevention rather than treatment (5) .…”

“…Recently, the combat of caries took place through prevention rather than treatment (5) . Prevention of caries involves enhancing the remineralization of demineralized enamel (4) .…”

“…Fluoride accumulates in leaves of the tea plant, and some of this fluoride is released into the infusion which is drunk as a tea, therefore it provides an effective vehicle for fluoride delivery to the oral cavity and may become associated with the oral cavity and their surfaces (16) . Green tea was found to have numerous oral health benefits due to its anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral actions and its remineralizing potential which help in caries prevention (4) . Moreover, it has been shown that black tea and its polyphenols inhibit growth, acid production, metabolism and glycosyltransferase enzyme action of Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) and dental plaque bacteria (17) .…”