Periodontitis is a serious gum disease caused by bacterial infection. If untreated, it can lead to tooth loss and has been linked to other health issues like diabetes, preterm birth, cardiovascular disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and cancer. One of the main bacteria responsible for periodontitis is Porphyromonas gingivalis. This bacterium thrives in biofilms on teeth and in deep gum pockets.
Researchers from the Nihon University School of Dentistry at Matsudo and the National Institute of Infectious Disease in Tokyo conducted in vitro experiments to test the effectiveness of matcha against 16 oral bacterial species, including 3 strains of P. gingivalis. Matcha is made from raw leaves of Camellia sinensis and is used in traditional ceremonies, as well as in drinks and sweets.
The matcha mouthwash showed minimal activity against common oral bacteria, which are beneficial for oral health. However, the matcha extract was highly effective against P. gingivalis. Within 2 hours of exposure, almost all P. gingivalis cells were killed, and after 4 hours, all cells were dead. This suggests that matcha has strong bactericidal properties specifically against P. gingivalis.
In summary, matcha could be a potent natural remedy for targeting the harmful bacteria responsible for periodontitis, without affecting beneficial oral bacteria.