Top 6 antioxidants beneficial for oral health

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Antioxidants are chemicals that combat oxidation processes on the body tissues. The chemicals are available in human body systems as well as in various types of foods. You can also buy antioxidant supplements when you believe that you are not getting enough from the food you eat.

While antioxidants are necessary for maintaining the general wellbeing of your body, studies have shown that they can help in improving your oral health as well. This post describes the various ways that these vital chemicals can help you in your oral health maintenance.

These are the six benefits of various antioxidants on your oral health.

1. Lycopene

Lycopene is an antioxidant chemical found in tomatoes, watermelon, papaya, guavas, and many other fruits. Crossroads Dental Arts reveal that chemical compound is a robust antioxidant that can help in the prevention of carcinogenesis in the body, including the oral cavity and promoting dental health.

The antioxidant Lycopene acts by protecting the biomolecules, including DNA, lipids, proteins, and lipoproteins. In this way, the freely available antioxidant can help in preventing many types of cancers and oral infections.

In dental health, Lycopene can treat precancerous lesions and oral cancer. Previously, Lycopene has been in use for the treatment of leukoplakia, oral lichen planus, and oral submucous fibrosis. The results have been positive with complete success.

2. Carotenoids

The carotenoids are chemical pigments that give various fruits their color. They are also antioxidants present in many types of fruits and vegetables like oranges, carrots, and bananas. Carotenoids are also available in algae, fungi, and some bacteria.

The most common carotenoid is beta-carotene. Like all other carotenoids, beta-carotene is an antioxidant that can protect oral health. From research, beta-carotene has proven to be effective in the treatment of oral leukoplakia. The antioxidant is also more favorable because it is not toxic like the 13-cis-retinoic acid, which was previously used for the same purpose.

In another study, carotenoids have shown to restrict the development of cancer of the oropharynx, esophagus, and many others.

3. Vitamin C

Some vitamins are antioxidants, and vitamin C is one of them. The vitamin is available in many fruits. It is also a water-soluble nutrient necessary in our daily diet. For people who love fruits, you are already eating sufficient amounts of vitamin C in the daily dietary requirement.

When addressing oral health, vitamin C has various benefits. As a matter of fact, when I once visited the best dentist near me for a dental examination, he recommended adding vitamin C to my diet as I was suffering from bleeding gums. The vitamin did improve collagen synthesis, which helped to strengthen my gums.

Vitamin C is also essential in protection against cancer of the stomach and the upper aerodigestive tract.  Ensure that you eat foods rich in Vitamin C daily because the body cannot retain any unused vitamins for long. When you cannot use fresh fruits or vegetables, you can get vitamin C supplements.

4. Folate

Folacin, which also goes by the name of vitamin B9, is one of the water-soluble antioxidants. Vitamin B9 is essential in creating the necessary genetic material in the body as well as accomplishing other protective tasks.

Industrial manufactured folic acid gets converted to folate in the body to form the antioxidant necessary for dental protection. In adults, low amounts of folic acid in the serum increase the risk of infection of periodontal diseases.

In medication, phenytoin treatment for epilepsy can lead to gingival hyperplasia. The use of folate can reduce the chances of developing the condition in the patients. Folacin also helps to prevent the increase and severity of the infection.

Folic acid is naturally available in organic foods like fresh, green, and leafy vegetables e.g., kales and spinach. You can also get the antioxidant by consuming citrus fruits like oranges and lemons. Another good source of vitamin B9 is cereals.

5. Curcumin

Among the many spices used in food processing, Curcumin is added as curry and a food coloring agent. The chemical, found in plants, acts as an antioxidant that prevents the onset of DNA damage by oxidative stress of free radicals. The effect is helpful in fighting cell damage and cancers that happen due to DNA damage.

Curcumin is also effective in preventing carcinogenesis of various body tissues. Apart from protecting the skin, stomach, colon, and mammary glands from cancerous destruction, the component is also capable of keeping the oral cavity safe from dental cavity infection damage.

6. Vitamin E

Vitamin E is a readily available form of vitamins and antioxidants. Α-tocopherol is the most active compound in vitamin E. Since α-tocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant, it is the active cell membrane antioxidant compound that fights against peroxidation.

In oral health, Vitamin E is essential for the prevention of inflammation of gums. As an antioxidant, it protects the gums and oral tissues against oxidation. In this manner, vitamin E is one of the antioxidants that prevent periodontal disease.

To get enough vitamin E in your diet, you can start by cooking with vegetable oils. Nuts and seeds are also a good source of the vitamin. The leafy green vegetables, avocados, and fish are also sources of vitamin E antioxidants that you need to add to your diet.

Summary

Antioxidants are chemicals that everybody needs for protective measures against cell and tissue damage. Some of the antioxidants help you to maintain your oral health as well as fighting against other problems like cancer. You must see your dentist so that they can recommend the right antioxidants you may need in case you are having any dental health problems.