For today’s post, we’d like to talk about something that is only tangentially related to oral health, but is related nonetheless—antioxidants.

You may have heard that antioxidants are good for your health, but do you understand why? Our guess is that most people don’t. Here’s why they’re important.

First, you have to understand that within the molecules that make up your body, there are atoms, each containing two positive protons and two neutral electrons. However, because of stress, poor eating, or environmental factors like pollution, it’s possible for an individual atom to lose an electron, causing it to become unstable. When that happens, the destabilized atom, known as a “free radical,” will try to steal an electron from a nearby atom, causing a chain reaction. This is what’s happening when we talk about the oxidation process.

If the oxidation process isn’t treated in some way, it can contribute to a variety of health problems, including:

• Cancer
• Gingivitis
• Diabetes
• Heart attack

Thankfully, that process can be stopped with antioxidants. The reason antioxidants are able is help is because they have an extra electron that they can lend to these unstable “free radicals.” But where can you find antioxidants? In all kinds of places, including coffee and green tea, fruits and veggies, legumes and seeds, and more. To effectively combat oxidation, we recommend having anywhere between five and nine servings of antioxidants a day.

Do you have questions about how antioxidants work, or do you just need to schedule an appointment with our Canton dental office? Call Robison Dental Group today to set up an appointment with Dr. John R. Robison or Dr. J.D. Robison. We serve patients from Canton, Ann Arbor, Northville, Westland, and Plymouth.