Role of green tea as an antioxidant in periodontal disease: The Asian paradox.

Green tea is a popular beverage nowadays and intake of green tea polyphenols has shown preventive effect against cancer and cardiovascular disease in experimental and epidemiologic studies. Several studies have suggested that green tea catechins, such as epigallocatechin gallate, inhibit periodontal pathogens and reduce the destruction of periodontal tissue. This paper aims to review the role of green tea in inflammatory diseases, especially in periodontal diseases.