Protective Effect of Green Tea on Dentin Erosion and Abrasion

OBJECTIVE This in situ study evaluated the protective effect of green tea on dentin erosion (ERO) and erosion-abrasion (ABR). MATERIAL AND METHODS Ten volunteers wore intraoral palatal appliances with bovine dentin specimens subjected to ERO or ERO + toothbrushing abrasion performed immediately (ERO+I-ABR) or 30 min after erosion (ERO+30-min-ABR). During 2 experimental 5-day crossover phases, the volunteers rinsed with green tea or water (control, 1 min) between each erosive (5 min, cola drink) and abrasive challenge (30 s, toothbrushing), 4x/day. Dentin wear was measured by profilometry. RESULTS The green tea reduced the dentin wear significantly for all conditions compared to control. ERO+I-ABR led to significantly higher wear than ERO, but it was not significantly different from ERO+30-min-ABR. ERO+30-min-ABR provoked significant higher wear than ERO, only for the placebo treatment. CONCLUSIONS From the results of the present study, it may be concluded that green tea reduces the dentin wear under erosive/abrasive conditions.