Role of Free Radicals and Common Antioxidants in Oral Health, an Update

Free radicals have been implicated in the etiology of large number of major diseases. They can adversely alter many crucial biological molecules leading to loss of form and function. Such undesirable changes in the body can lead to diseased conditions. Antioxidants are compounds which destroy the free radicals in the body, thereby preventing against harmful oxidation- reduction reactions. Antioxidants are critical for maintaining optimum health and wellbeing. The best sources are fruits and vegetables which provide a variety of antioxidants like Vitamins A, C, E & carotenoids. As in every medical field, the usage of antioxidants is becoming more frequent in dentistry also. It can help adjunct treating the progress of oral problems such as periodontitis or gingivitis or progression of potentially malignant disorders to malignancy. Thus, a greater consumption of fruits and vegetables should be encouraged as they are the natural sources of these chemopreventive antioxidant along with other protective factors packaged by nature. This review focuses on commonly used effective antioxidants in different oral and dental pathologies as a new generation adjunctive remedy.