Do Antioxidants Help Improve Your Oral Health?

Antioxidants are molecules that fight with free radicals in your body. Free radicals are combinations that can cause damage if their levels become too high in your body. Your body has its own antioxidant protects to keep free radicals in check. Antioxidants have been used for years to defend every essential organ including skin, against free radical damage, and they've also long been known for their ability to protect against dental issues like gum disease and periodontal disease. Additionally, antioxidants have strong healing and reparative influence on the soft tissues of the oral cavity (tongue, gums, inner lining of cheeks), along with an increase in overall wellbeing.

 The antioxidants are vitamins A, C, E. and K, among others. These vitamins helps to reduce prevent gum disease, plaque, aid in wound healing and assist collagen synthesis. Vitamin A, found in leafy green vegetables and orange and yellow fruits and vegetables, can help with healing in the mouth. Vitamin C, found in citrus fruits, dark green vegetables, and other fruits and vegetables, can help prevent gum bleeding. Vitamin K, though not technically considered an antioxidant, is necessary for blood clotting and can help prevent excessive bleeding after a tooth is extracted, or even after a tooth cleaning.

By consuming antioxidants has been help to reduce inflammation in the body and limit its effect on teeth and gums. They can be found in a wide range of fruits – especially berries – and vegetables that include sweet potatoes, cantaloupe, carrots, squash and greens such as spinach and kale. Other foods such as milk and almonds carry a good share of antioxidants as well.