EGCG and Oral Health

Oral Health

• Maintaining overall health and well-being requires maintaining good oral health.

• Avoid dental issues like cavities, gum disease, and poor breath, which entails taking care of your teeth, gums, and mouth.

• Since poor dental health has been connected to a number of systemic disorders like heart disease, stroke, and diabetes, maintaining good oral health also helps to keep a healthy body.

• Maintaining good oral health requires routine professional dental cleanings and examinations. These checkups enable the early identification of any dental concerns and their rapid resolution.

• A dentist or hygienist will check your mouth during a dental visit to look for indications of tooth decay, gum disease, and other oral health issues .

•  In order to avoid cavities and gum disease, they will also clean your teeth and remove any plaque or tartar accumulation.

• There are a number of things people may do to maintain good oral health in addition to getting regular dental exams.

•  These consist of using mouthwash to help control plaque and fight bad breath, flossing every day, and brushing your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.

•  Consuming foods and beverages that are sweet and acidic raises the risk of gum disease and tooth decay, thus a healthy diet can also help maintain good oral health [2].

Oral Disorders

• If proper oral health is not maintained, and care is not taken properly, it can lead to several impairments.

• Some of the illnesses related to oral health are as follows:

Tooth Decay

• Cavities, which are another name for tooth decay, are a frequent dental issue brought on by oral bacteria that secrete acids that erode tooth enamel. If untreated, it may result in pain and ultimately tooth loss.

Oral Malignancies

• The lips, tongue, cheeks, and throat are all susceptible to oral cancer. It is frequently brought on by alcohol and tobacco use, and if caught early enough, it can be fatal [3].

Gum Illnesses

• If the tissue around the teeth gets damaged by some infection caused by microbes that result due to the accumulation of food or plaque around the teeth is called gum disorder.

Oral Herpes

• The infection of the mouth, teeth, or gums that is caused by the attack of the specific virus is oral herpes. It can have several severe symptoms.

EGCG (Epigallocatechin gallate)

EGCG is an important compound obtained from a unique plant. It has been found that many health benefits can be obtained from this precious compound.

 It can help in many bad health conditions including inflammation, cancer, and heart and brain disorders. This compound is also helpful in weight loss.

It is normally called catechin. Catechins are very important antioxidant compounds. So, it can protect the cells from oxidative damage that may be caused by free radicals in the cells.

EGCG is found in many of the foods that are in our daily use. Some of these foods containing EGCG include:

• Tea (black, green, and white)

• Some fruits include strawberries, blackberries, pears, cherries, peaches, apples, and avocados.

• Nuts including pistachios and pecans.

• It is also found in dark chocolate, red wine, and legumes.

EGCG is a well-researched catechin with a lot of health benefits for humans [5]. 

• Research has also proven it to be very beneficial for maintaining normal body weight and helping in reducing weight in many disorders. Many experiments have been performed for this purpose that will be discussed later in this article.

Health Benefits of EGCG

Many bad health conditions can be treated using this precious compound [6].

The most common health benefits that can be obtained from this compound include:

Killing of malignant cells.

• It boosts the immune system of the body.

• Reduces oxidative stress.

• Reduces inflammation.

• It maintains healthy skin.

• Help with cardiovascular disorders.

• Neuroprotective properties.

• It is an anti-allergy compound.

• It has anti-microbial properties.

• Improves the cognitive functions of the body.

• It is an anti-aging compound.

• It helps in weight loss.

• Promotes osteogenesis.

• Boosts the metabolism of the body.

Mechanisms of Action of EGCG in the Body

• EGCG is an important compound that helps in the treatment of many disorders and works via different mechanisms of action in the body.

• The most common ways by which EGCG can help the body improve its health conditions are as follows:

• The process of oxidation is crucial to maintaining the body's health. We categorize EGCG as an antioxidant based on the chemical structure of the compound. The ring structure in the ECGC traps the free electrons and prevents the formation of reactive oxygen species. It also possesses anti-inflammatory action by targeting the NF-KB pathway and increasing the anti-inflammatory substance’s gene expression [7].

• One of the most prevalent and dangerous illnesses affecting humans is cancer. Both the scientific community and the general public have paid close attention to EGCG as a natural substance.

• Moreover, EGCG has demonstrated therapeutic and preventative effects in a variety of human malignancies. Several theories have been put out to explain how EGCG inhibits the development and spread of cancer.

• The prooxidant effects of EGCG were considered to represent possible anticancer action mechanisms. Depending on the cell type, dosage, and/or timing of the therapy, several anticancer strategies were used.

• Several research studies have looked at the mechanisms behind the anti-obesity benefits of EGCG in both cellular and animal models. It can reduce weight through its fat-burning property.

• Several skincare treatments for anti-aging contain green tea extract or EGCG. This is so that the chemical can promote young and healthy-looking skin by increasing skin elasticity. Minimizing wrinkles, enhancing moisture retention, and improving skin texture, also slows down the aging process of the skin [8].

EGCG and Oral Health

• Many experimental studies have been performed that have shown that EGCG has a crucial role in improving oral health and treating many disorders.

• These studies have confirmed multiple properties of this crucial compound that help maintain proper oral health.

Anti-bacterial Action

• It has been found that EGCG can kill the bacteria which can cause several oral infections.

• Bacteria are also responsible for cavities in teeth and many gum disorders. EGCG can kill these bacteria and prevent cavities and infections [9].

• Moreover, EGCG can also prevent bad breath by killing the bacteria responsible for this.

Anti-inflammatory Action

• Many gum disorders result from bacteria causing inflammation of the gum and leading to cavities.

• EGCG is known for its role in reducing inflammation in the mouth and gums.

•  So, this crucial compound can help treat mouth infections and gum diseases.

Remineralization

• Studies have also shown that EGCG has the potential to stimulate the remineralization of the enamel of teeth which can help prevent many disorders.

• Through this process, important minerals are added back to the teeth and oral health is improved.

Antioxidant Properties

• It is found that EGCG can reduce oxidative stress in body cells including the cells in the gums.

• Based on this property, EGCG can protect the gums and prevent infections and other illnesses.

Preclinical and Clinical Trials Data

• Several studies have been performed on animal models and humans and the roles of EGCG in improving oral health is confirmed.

• A preclinical study was performed in which animal models with tooth decay were given EGCG. This tooth decay was caused by the bacteria Streptococcus mutans. The growth of this bacteria was checked after the treatment and positive outcomes of EGCG were observed in killing this bacterium [11].

• Another study was performed on animals with periodontal disorders. These animals were treated with EGCG for a specific time. The results were significant as the inflammation in gums was reduced by this crucial compound.

• A preclinical study was performed to check the effects of EGCG on bad breath. It was observed that EGCG inhibited the formation of volatile sulfur in the mouths of these animals [12]. 

• Similar studies were also performed on humans with different bad oral health conditions and the safety and efficacy of EGCG in these individuals were checked. 

• A clinical study was performed on human patients with periodontal disorders. They were given mouthwash containing EGCG compound for use on regular basis. It was seen that the plaques on their gums completely disappeared, and gum inflammation was also significantly reduced. This study showed that EGCG has significant results in treating such illnesses.

• Another study was performed in India on children having gum infections and accumulation of plaque in their teeth. These children were given mouthwash containing EGCG. After regular use, it was observed that they have better teeth and oral health due to EGCG [13].

• Similar studies were also performed on humans having bad breath. When they were given EGCG compound in mouthwash, significant results were observed.

• So, it can be concluded that EGCG has positive outcomes in improving oral health and treating oral infections. It can be a promising compound for improving bad breath and oral health as well as treating impairments related to oral health.