The Effects of Coffee and Tea on Human Teeth - Research Paper Example

? The Effects of Tea and Coffee on the Human Tooth. Contents Introduction page Thesis page Method page Normal Human Dentition page 2 Factors which affect dental health page 3 Literature Review page 3 Discussion page 7 Suggestions to minimize the negative effects of coffee and tea consumption page 8 References page 9 Introduction Most humans want to preserve their own teeth as long as is possible, yet at the same time they regularly consume large quantities of both food and drink that attacks their teeth from an early age. This essay is a literature review of research into the effects of both tea and coffee on human teeth, follow by discussion of the findings and any implications for future practice. . Thesis Excessive consumption of coffee and tea has an impact on human teeth. If it is accepted that excessive consumption has an effect, what is this, why is this and what should be done? Method An internet search will be conducted using search terms such as ‘Human dentition’, ‘Effects of certain drinks on tooth enamel’, ‘Caries and consumption of tea and coffee.’ ‘Properties of tea and coffee’. The results will be analyzed and discussed and possible future practice discussed. Normal Human Dentition In the first instance dentition consists of a total of 20 deciduous teeth. These usually begin to emerge from the gums at about 6 months of age . From about the age of 7 they are gradually lost and replaced by more permanent dentition. This process of loss an d replacement continues until about the age of 13. Permanent teeth that replace the early deciduous teeth are referred to as successional teeth. The permanent molars which replace nothing, and which eventually bring the number of teeth in the larger adult jaw to 32, are described as accessional teeth. They continue to emerge during the teens and early twenties. There are 8 incisors, 4 in each jaw. These have the task of cutting up food, supporting the lips and aiding in speech articulation. There are two canines in each jaw. They serve in humans similar functions to the incisors and as guides to occlusion. The premolars and molars are known as cheek teeth. Molars in the lower jaw differ slightly from those in the upper jaw in having only two rather than three jaws. The premolars aid in eating as well as serving in shaping the face. The molars assist in grinding and chewing food. Each tooth, when intact has a protective 96% hard mineral layer of enamel. Beneath this is a layer of dentin which is found in both crown and root. It lines the pulp cavity. The anatomic root has a surface cover of cementum which helps to anchor the tooth in place. The innermost part of each tooth is referred to as the pulp. During the life of each tooth it has nutritive, sensory and formative functions. Factors which affect oral health Apart from lack of a regular oral hygiene routine there are a number of factors which can have a negative effect on dental health. These are dental caries, acid erosion and periodontal disease. The Tea and Oral Health Sheet ( undated )1 describes how :- Caries is caused by bacterial acid production in tooth plaque, which can cause deep localized lesions if it remains too near the tooth for any length of time. It is believed by the authors that acid in food and drink contributes considerably to dental Erosion, but although both coffee and black tea make acidic drinks they are less acidic than many alternative choices such as fizzy drinks. . Literature review. According to MedlinePlus 20112 a single cup of tea:- contains approximately 50 milligrams of caffeine, depending on the strength and size of cup (as compared to coffee which contains 65 to 175 milligrams of caffeine per cup). Tea also contains polyphenols (catechins, anthocyanins, phenolic acids), tannin, trace elements, and vitamins. Under the heading ‘Harmful Ingredients in Tea and Coffee?’ ( 2003) 3 we are told that leaf tea contains :- 6% water, 2% caffeine, 17% albumin, 8% various soluble substances, 2% dectrine, 3% pectic acid and pictine , 17% tannic acid, 4% chlorophyll and raisin and 7% salt. The remaining 26% is cellulose. So this little leaf is in fact a complex chemical combination. The effects of tea or coffee consumption will therefore of course be affected by the contents, the quantities, strengths and types consumed. In the article ‘Tea Effect on Teeth ‘ ( 2007) it is pointed out that many herbal teas are either very acidic or alkaline and so have a negative effect on tooth enamel. The same article also point out that dental caries is the prime reason for the premature loss of teeth. Because tea has a high percentage of fluoride, as well as variuos polyphenolic constituents which act upon plaque synthesis. These two factors act together to inhibit the caries. Yu, Oho and Xu ( 1993)4 investigated the various componanats of tea for their acid reducing properties. They concluded that :- Some components such as tannin, catechin, caffeine and tocopherol were demonstrated to be effective for increasing acid resistance, and their effects increased dramatically when they were used in combination with fluoride. It was felt that a mixed solution of fluoride and tannic acid had a 98% inhibitory effect on the release of calcium from the teeth. It was felt that the organic compounds in the tea were of more importance in this action than the fluoride present. An article from Dental Health Magazine ( January 2010)5 backs up such findings, citing research from both theUniversity of Illinois College of Dentistry, as well as more from the Univerity of Bristol Dental School. Further research in the effects of coffee by Gazzini of the University of Pavia in Italy ( 2002)6 showed that ‘All coffee solutions have high anti-adhesive properties due to both naturally occurring and roasting-induced molecules," Gazzini is quoted further as saying’ All of the tested samples inhibited S. mutans adsorption and showed inhibitory activity ranging from 40.5 per cent to 98.1 per cent," Zhang and Kashket ( 1998) looked at a rather different aspect of beverage consumption. They tested various black and green teas and found that their presence affected the action of streptococcal amylase. Black teas were found to be more effective at this than green ones and if tannins were removed the effects were negated. It was found that tea reduced the release of maltase in the mouth by roundabout 70%. It was therefore concluded that the carcinogenic effects of starch particles left on the teeth would be reduced if tea was consumed. The UK report into Tea and Oral Health ( undated) also link the presence of tannins in tea and coffee with positive oral health. The tannins, by inhibiting the growth of the bacteria of salmonella mutans, have a positive effect upon plaque build up. Tanaka et al in 2008 7carried out extensive research into the possible link between beverage consumption and the loss of teeth among Japanese women during pregnancy, using more than 1000 subjects. A number of possible factors were considered such as age, dietary history, parity etc were taken into consideration. Roughly one quarter of the women had lost one or more teeth. This was found to be associated with coffee consumption, but possibly unexpectedly it was found that the highest levels of tooth loss were found in those who drank coffee without sugar. A similar association was discovered with a moderate consumption of green tea. No links were found for those who preferred other beverages. In 2008 Bassiouny, et al 8considered the effect of black and green tea on human dentition. These were compared to the effects of other drinks such as soda and fruit juice in controlled experiments. They pointed out that in the United States tea is a less popular beverage than coffee or soft drinks. They also state that tea which is unadulterated by additives such as sugar, and which does not contain preservatives, has been repeatedly praised in scientific literature for its beneficial effects, both general and dental. Their research used 36 healthy premolars which had recently been extracted. These were considered for ‘Changes in color, translucency, texture, and presence of enamel were assessed by visual evaluations and complemented by sequential photographs.’ The teeth were immersed for a period of twenty weeks for the sake of the experiment in the various fluids which included acetic acid and water. Various measurements were taken to note the degree of erosion that occurred. As might be expected as far as erosion acetic acid had the strongest effect, but black tea scored results next only to pure water, and there was approximately half the amount of erosion as that caused by soda and orange juice. As far as color was concerned green tea stained less than the black tea. The authors concluded that there was :- conclusive evidence of brewed green and black tea’s minimal erosive action on the human dentition compared with soda and orange juice. In view of the countless systemic and dental health benefits of brewed tea and its minimal potential for erosion of human enamel, this beverage should be encouraged as a substitute for acidic drinks. Discussion There were rather more reports of research into the effects of tea rather than coffee consumption. The research generally points to the fact that both tea and coffee, if uncontaminated, can have positive rather than negative effects , including its anti toxin effects as well as its inhibitating effect on plaque and caries formation and even a reduction in the action of possible carcinogenic factors. The United Kingdom’s ‘Tea and Oral Health Fact Sheet 9cites the fact that among population groups who drink tea regularly there is a decrease in the number of carious teeth. It goes on to say in conclusion:- It is reasonable to conclude that drinking tea, without the addition of sugar, is compatible with dietary advice to prevent dental decay, thereby helping to promote overall health and well being. How much of a positive effect there is depends however upon both the type of product consumed and well as how much is actually consumed. It does however have negative cosmetic effects which can be minimized with care or reversed by dental bleaching. Tannic acid , which is present in both tea and coffee and which gives it its dark color, etches its way into the various pits and grooves of the enamel that covers each tooth and so produces a brown stain. Coffee and black tea are both acidic and this acidity can pose problems for the teeth. A mouth with an acidic environment will mean that certain minerals –phosphates and calcium can be removed from the enamel layer of the teeth thereby weakening the structure and so allowing caries to develop. Suggestions to minimize the negative effects of coffee and tea consumption As well as the actual tea or coffee there is also what is added to it. If sugary hot drinks are consumed frequently then the teeth are being constantly bathed in a destructive sugary bath. Reducing sugar consumption in tea must therefore be a positive move. Tea UK 2001 10 reports that in the United Kingdon as much as 70% of flouride consumed enters the body in tea and in the same year Simpson et al reported that after consumption 34% of the fluoride content is retined in the mouth. Edington ( Undated) ,11 the president of the Academy of General Dentistry, suggests a number of way in which the negative effects of coffee and tea consumption can be minimized. These include drinking iced tea or coffee through a straw, rinsing with a glass of water after drinking a hot beverage. If staining is a concern then dental bleaching is possible. Another suggestion might be to switch to a naturally slightly sweet tea such as the South African red bush tea ‘ Rooibus’ so that the preferred sweet flavour can still be enjoyed while at the same time reducing sugar consumption. On a more positive note researchers have found that tea acts as an anti toxicant, white tea far more so than black. Its consumption lowers the risk of bladder, prostate and stomach cancer and also helps to prevent blocked arteries, according to an article ‘Your teeth are what you drink’ ( Dumas 2011)12 in which the doctor also points out that tea blocks the bacteria which produce the acid that eventually causes cavities. Another researcher ( Ruxton 2006)13 points out that tea often contains fluoride from its water content, and this has a positive effect on the teeth of consumers. Her words about fluoride content are backed by Behrendt et al ( 2002) 14, but they point out how these drinks can lead to overdosing with the chemical , especially in the case of children. Dumas ( 2011)15 goes on to suggest that white tea is much more beneficial than the more usual and much less expensive black tea, and so a switch to this less harmful product might be suggested.. Tea is the second commonest drink worldwide after water and that is unlikely to change. The effects can however be minimized. References M. Bassiouny,, S.Kuroda, and J.Yang,, Topographic and radiographic profile assessment of dental erosion—Part III: Effect of green and black tea on human dentition, General Dentistry, July, August 2008, http://www.agd.org/support/articles/?ArtID=3494 , accessed 13th May 2011 A. Behrendt, V. Oberste, and W. Wetzel,., Fluoride Concentration and pH of Iced Tea Products, Caries Research, Volume 36, number 6, 2002, http://content.karger.com/ProdukteDB/produkte.asp?Aktion=ShowFulltext&ArtikelNr=000066532&Ausgabe=228762&ProduktNr=224219, accessed 13th May 2011 Black Tea, (Camellia Sinensis) MedLine Plus, 2011 http://www.enotalone.com/article/9225.html, accessed 13th May 2011 Dental Health Magazine staff, Is Drinking Tea Harmful or Good for Teeth?, January 25th 2010, http://worldental.org/nutrition/tea-good-drink-teeth/22/, accessed 13th May 2011 C. Dumas, Your teeth are what you drink, Today Health, 2011, http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/3079355/ns/today-today_health/t/your-teeth-are-what-you-drink/, accessed 13th May 2011 I.Edington, quoted in ‘Coffee, Tea, & Your Teeth’ Better Homes and Gardens ( undated) http://www.bhg.com/health-family/staying-healthy/dental-health/coffee-tea-your-teeth/, accessed 13th May 2011 G.Gazzini., quoted in ‘Healthier teeth for coffee drinkers?’ Nutra ingredients .com, 7th March 2002, http://www.nutraingredients.com/Research/Healthier-teeth-for-coffee-drinkers, accessed 13th May 2011 Harmful Ingredients in Tea and Coffee? 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Tanaka, et al, Beverage consumption and the prevalence of tooth loss in pregnant Japanese women: the Osaka Maternal and Child Health Study, Fukuoka Iqaku Zasshi., April 2008, 99 4, pages 80-89, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18646593, accessed 13th May 2011 Tea and Oral Health Fact Sheet ( undated) http://www.tea.co.uk/files/fact_sheets/tea_and_oral_health_fact_update_jan06.doc, accessed 13th May 2011 Tea Effect on Teeth , 2007, http://drinkhealthydrinks.com/tea-effect-on-teeth/14/, accessed 13th May 2011 UK Tea Facts, UK Teas 1996 – 2006, http://poisonfluoride.com/pfpc/html/uk_tea1.html., accessed 13th May 2011. H.Yu, T.Oho,. and L. 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