How green tea may benefit oral health in head and neck cancer

A green tea-based mouth rinse may help improve the oral health of patients with head and neck cancer.

In a study published in Supportive Care in Cancer, researchers randomly assigned more than 60 participants with stage 3 or 4 head and neck cancer undergoing palliative care to receive either usual care alone or in combination with a green tea-based mouth rinse three times per day for a period of six weeks. They then assessed outcomes such as oral health, pain and quality of life.

The researchers found that compared with controls, the participants who received the green tea-based mouth rinse had improved oral health and oral hygiene scores but no statistically significant differences in pain or quality of life.

The findings revealed the potential benefits of adding the mouth rinse to the care of patients with advanced head and neck cancer.

Read more: Supportive Care in Cancer

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