Green Tea: A Novel Perspective on the Traditional Plant's Potential in Managing Periodontal Diseases

Green tea (Camellia sinensis) exhibits significant potential in oral health due to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties. This review explores its role in managing periodontal disease, a common condition characterized by inflammation, microbial imbalances, and tissue destruction. The primary bioactive components, particularly epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), contribute to green tea's therapeutic effects by inhibiting bacterial adhesion, modulating inflammatory pathways, and reducing oxidative stress. Clinical studies suggest green tea improves periodontal health by reducing pocket depth, inflammation, and bleeding. It can serve as an adjunct to conventional therapies, including scaling and root planing, and be incorporated into oral care products such as mouthwashes and dentifrices. Furthermore, green tea presents a natural alternative to chemical agents like chlorhexidine, potentially mitigating side effects and addressing concerns about antibiotic resistance. However, its efficacy remains moderate compared to established treatments, highlighting the need for further research to optimize its formulation and therapeutic applications. Green tea represents a sustainable and biocompatible approach to periodontal therapy, supporting its integration into preventive and therapeutic oral health strategies.