The benefits of both black and green tea are numerous and to add another to the mounting stack, it has been found that green tea is beneficial for maintaining a healthy smile.

The Journal of Peridontology has just published a study conducted by the Kyushu University in Fukuoka, Japan. The scientists studied 940 men ranging between the ages of 49 and 59 and assessed their dental health in relation to the amount of green tea they drank.

It was found that with every cup of green tea drank, there was an improvement in each indicator of health. Subjects who regularly drank green tea had a reduced instance of tooth and gum disease.

Green tea is particularly effective at fighting tooth decay and the virus that causes it. Bad breath can also be reduced by drinking green tea or using products containing tea extracts.

US microbiologist, Milton Schiffenbauer, of the independent Pace University, says that green tea is better at fighting viruses.

"Our research shows tea extracts can destroy the organism that causes disease. If we can stimulate the immune system and at the same time we are destroying the organisms, then it makes sense to drink more tea."

The power of green tea to aid dental health may be attributed to the antioxidant catechin, which reduces inflammation which is the precursor to peridontal disease which attacks the gums and the bone supporting the teeth.