How healthy are you?   The answer, my friend, may be right under your nose!!

Did you know our mouths are a window to our overall health?  One of the reasons for this is anti-oxidants.  Fruits and vegetables are rich in antioxidants.  Anti-oxidants combat the effect of oxidants in our bodies.   Oxidants are responsible for cell membrane destruction, mutations and early cell death.  In general, oxidants can make us unhealthy and increase the aging rate of every cell in our body.  Anti-oxidants interrupt this destruction and help maintain and build new and healthy cells.  If we take in enough anti-oxidants,  our gum tissue does not bleed because the cell walls in the gum tissue remain intact.  Many times the first sign of disease shows in our gum tissue.  A high level of anti-oxidants in our system bolsters the immune system so that our own natural body defenses can keep us healthy.  The new US Dietary Guidelines recommend not 5-9 a day but 10-13 servings a day of fruits and vegetables for an adult.  The moral of the story…Grandma was right, eat your fruits and vegetables!

Kelly McCullough, RDH, BS, RD, LD – Dental hygienist and dietitian – at PNT!