Free Radicals in the Oral Cavity

Free radicals are molecules with an unpaired electron. In a process called oxidation, an unpaired electron steals electrons from other molecules, creating new unstable free radicals. Free radicals occur naturally in the body but can be increased by environmental and lifestyle factors, such as nicotine, alcohol, or even dental procedures and materials such as bleaching agents, dental cements and composite fillings. Antioxidants are molecules that bond with the unpaired electron, neutralizing the oxidation.

What is a free radical?

Free radicals are molecules with an odd number of electrons, or better stated, with an unpaired electron. Since electrons normally exist in pairs, a molecule with an unpaired electron is unstable and it seeks a partner electron from another molecule. When the unpaired electron in the free radical molecule finds another molecule, it may steal an electron to complete its pair. This leaves the second molecule with an unpaired electron, that is, as a new free radical. This stealing process or electron theft -- what is known as oxidation -- can become a chain reaction.

What causes free radicals?

Some free radical molecules occur naturally in the body. They can be generated as part of metabolism as food is converted to energy in a gradual form of oxidation. The process releases individual electrons, leaving free-radical molecules. The new free radicals are chemically reactive and highly unstable. Free radicals can also be generated by other substances or activities within the body. For example, nicotine, alcohol, or dental procedures can raise the level of free radicals, especially within the oral cavity. Some molecules are more vulnerable to oxidation (i.e., electron theft) than others. In particular, some of the molecules in cell walls, containing unsaturated lipids, are particularly susceptible to the attack of free radicals. Other vulnerable molecules include RNA, DNA, and protein enzymes.

Why are free radicals a special problem for oral tissues?

Oral cells are uniquely susceptible to free radical damage because the mucus membranes allow rapid absorption of substances across their surfaces. This activity can be used for beneficial purposes, for example nitroglycerin tablets are placed under the tongue for rapid absorption to treat angina (chest pain). Direct exposure to noxious substances in the mouth further exacerbates the problem. Alcohol, nicotine from tobacco products, and dental materials such as hydrogen peroxide for bleaching, dental cements, composite fillings, and dental implants all increase free radicals and resulting cell damage.

Dental procedures and materials can increase free radicals?

The substances used in aesthetic procedures, such as bleaching or other whitening agents, can cause a dramatic increase in the level of free radicals in oral tissues. Dental implants, fillings and some dental materials, such as dental cements, composite fillings, all contribute to excess free radicals which may lead to oxidative stress.

Antioxidants: the antidote to free radicals

Fortunately, there are molecules that can safely interact with free radicals and terminate the chain reaction before vital cell molecules are damaged. These molecules are called antioxidants because they counteract the process of oxidation. The large, complex antioxidant molecules can bond with the unpaired electrons of free radicals, effectively neutralizing them. Different antioxidants work in different ways to either stop or retard the chain-reaction process of oxidation.

Peer Reviewed Scientific Articles

An introduction to free radical biochemistry

Free radicals are chemical species possessing an unpaired electron that can be considered as fragments of molecules and which are generally very reactive. They are produced continuously in cells either as accidental by-products of metabolism or deliberately during, for example,...

Biocompatibility of Dental Casting Alloys

Most cast dental restorations are made from alloys or commercially pure titanium (cpTi). Many orthodontic appliances are also fabricated from metallic materials. It has been documented in vitroand in vivo that metallic dental devices release metal ions, mainly due to...

Cytotoxicity and Degree of Conversion of Orthodontic Adhesives

This study looked at the difference in the cytotoxicity related to the modes of polymerization of five commercially available orthodontic bonding resins, with and without an oxygen-inhibited layer (OIL), and to evaluate the degree of conversion (DC) of these resins...

Cytotoxicity of Titanium and Titanium Alloying Elements

It is commonly accepted that titanium and the titanium alloying elements of tantalum, niobium, zirconium, molybdenum, tin, and silicon are biocompatible. However, research in the development of new titanium alloys for biomedical applications indicated that some titanium alloys containing molybdenum,...

Effect of pH on element release from dental casting alloys

Transient exposure of casting alloys to an acidic oral environment is likely to significantly increase elemental release from Ni-based alloys, but not from high-noble or noble alloys. Elemental release is important because it plays a significant role in alloy biocompatibility.

Effects of Ethanol Consumption on Periodontal Inflammation in Rats

Studies suggest a correlation between ethanol consumption and periodontal disease. We hypothesized that elevated levels of blood reactive oxygen species following ethanol consumption may increase inflammation in periodontal tissue. Results suggest that chronic alcohol consumption increased periodontal inflammation, oxidative damage,...

Methyl methacrylate activates the Gsta1 promoter

Residual monomers in resin-based biomaterials cause cytotoxicity. We previously showed that methyl methacrylate (MMA) induced mRNA expression of the glutathione S-transferase alpha 1 gene (Gsta1) located downstream of the cis-acting anti-oxidant responsive element (ARE). Herein, we tested the hypothesis that...

Reactive oxygen species and antioxidants in inflammatory diseases

This paper aims to review the role of free radical-induced tissue damage and antioxidant defence mechanisms in inflammatory diseases that involve pathogenic processes similar to the periodontal diseases. There is a clearly defined and substantial role for free radicals or...

Real-time xCELLigence impedance analysis of the cytotoxicity of dental composite components on human gingival fibroblasts

OBJECTIVES: Aim of this study was by continuous monitoring to assay the proliferative capacity of human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs), to investigate cytotoxicity of the most common monomers/comonomers in dental resin composites: bisphenol-A-glycidylmethacrylate (BisGMA), hydroxyethylenemethacrylate (HEMA), triethyleneglycoldimethacrylate (TEGDMA), and urethanedimethacrylate (UDMA)...

The antioxidant capacity of saliva

Saliva, a heterogeneous fluid comprising proteins, glycoproteins, electrolytes, small organic molecules and compounds transported from the blood, constantly bathes the teeth and oral mucosa. It acts as a cleansing solution, an ion reservoir, a lubricant and a buffer. In addition...

The challenge of antioxidants to free radicals in periodontitis

Patients with periodontal disease display increased bacterial antigen PMN number and activity; this proliferation results in high degree of free radical release culminating in heightened oxidative damage to gingival tissues, periodontal ligament and alveolar bone. Damage mediated by free radicals...

Other Publications

Wiki: Free Radicals

Radicals (often referred to as free radicals) are atoms, molecules, or ions with unpaired electrons on an open shell configuration. Free radicals may have positive, negative or zero charge. Even though they have unpaired electrons, by convention, metals and their...