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Periodontitis, an inflammatory gum disease often linked to bacterial infection and potential tooth loss, poses significant health risks if left untreated. In addition to dental complications, it has been associated with conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. Among the bacterial instigators of periodontitis is Porphyromonas gingivalis, which thrives in oral biofilms and deep pockets within the gums.

A recent study, published in Microbiology Spectrum, an open-access ASM journal, sheds light on the potential of matcha, a finely ground green tea powder, in inhibiting the growth of P. gingivalis. Researchers in Japan conducted laboratory experiments demonstrating matcha's ability to suppress the growth of P. gingivalis.

Furthermore, the clinical study involving 45 individuals with periodontitis revealed that those using matcha mouthwash exhibited significantly reduced levels of P. gingivalis in saliva samples compared to the study's onset.

The antimicrobial properties of Camellia sinensis, the green tea plant from which matcha is derived, have long been studied. Previous research has shown green tea's efficacy in inhibiting various pathogens, including P. gingivalis. Matcha, a staple in traditional ceremonies and culinary practices, is made from raw C. sinensis leaves.

In the recent study, researchers from esteemed institutions including the Nihon University School of Dentistry at Matsudo and the National Institute of Infectious Disease in Tokyo conducted a series of in vitro experiments. Their aim was to assess the effectiveness of a matcha solution against 16 oral bacterial species, including three strains of Porphyromonas gingivalis.

While the matcha mouthwash exhibited minimal activity against commensal oral bacteria strains, it showcased notable efficacy against P. gingivalis, News Medical reported.

Remarkably, within just two hours of exposure, the matcha extract eradicated nearly all cultured P. gingivalis cells, with complete cell death observed after four hours. These findings underscored the potent bactericidal activity of matcha against this pathogen.

Subsequently, the researchers enlisted 45 individuals diagnosed with chronic periodontitis from the Nihon University Hospital School of Dentistry at Matsudo for a follow-up clinical trial. Randomly divided into three groups, participants were assigned different mouthwash interventions: one group received barley tea mouthwash, another received matcha extract mouthwash, and the third group received mouthwash containing sodium azulene sulfonate hydrate, known for its anti-inflammatory properties.

Saliva samples were collected before and after the intervention, analyzed using PCR, and participants were instructed to rinse twice daily.

The outcomes unveiled a significant reduction in P. gingivalis levels among participants utilizing matcha mouthwash, underscoring its potential as an effective intervention in combatting periodontal disease.

In contrast, individuals in the other two groups did not exhibit comparable reductions in bacterial levels, highlighting the distinctive efficacy of matcha in this context.