Can you improve your oral health simply by enjoying a refreshing drink? So it seems.

In fact, you can choose from three delicious drinks, ones you probably thought were bad for your teeth. And if you thought milk was going to be the number on this list, you’d be wrong!

1. Tea

There is no big surprise here, right? Both green and black tea have been shown to be good for the teeth and gums. First, the catechins in green tea are anticariogenic (that is, they reduce the incidence of tooth decay). Green tea kills Streptococcus mutans and other bacteria that cause tooth decay.

Tea is also a source of fluoride, which is one of the most studied substances to reduce cavities. But the benefits of tea are not dependent on fluoride. One study showed that even when fluoride is removed, green tea extract increases the strength of tooth enamel.

And the black tea? The polyphenols in black tea (mainly theaflavins) prevent the growth of bacteria that cause bad breath. The higher the concentration of polyphenols, the greater the reduction in growth. Also, when hamsters were fed a high-sugar diet, their incidence of cavities increased significantly. Giving them black tea along with sugar significantly reduced cavities.

2. Coffee

Most people can associate coffee with bad teeth, but in reality, coffee is good for oral health. Like green tea, roasted coffee beans have antibacterial activity. Coffee can also prevent bacteria from sticking to the surface of your teeth, making them less harmful.

It’s not entirely clear how coffee does what it does, but according to the scientists who conducted the study, the most active compounds in coffee in terms of dental health are trigonelline, caffeine, and chlorogenic acid. They are likely to work synergistically together to reduce tooth decay more than any compound alone would.

3. Cocoa

Surely cocoa can’t be good for your teeth? Well, yes it can. Studies with hamsters and rats show that when cocoa powder or chocolate (yes, chocolate) is added to their diet, they have fewer cavities. Of course, the high levels of sugar in hot chocolate or milk chocolate are much less effective than dark chocolate or cocoa powder with hot water or milk.

A study in children concluded that a mouthwash made from cocoa bean shells reduced the amount of plaque. The reason is that cocoa inhibits a specific enzyme that is involved in plaque formation.

conclusion

Green tea, black tea, coffee, and cocoa all have oral health benefits. Tea has most of the studies behind it and is the best option of the three, but coffee and cocoa also appear to be beneficial. A combination of all three may be the optimal choice.

However, keep in mind that all three have the potential to color teeth when consumed in large quantities. You can limit the amount of discoloration by rinsing your mouth with water afterward, chewing gum, and choosing white tea or green tea over black tea, which is the most effective dye of the three.