Oxidative stress in the oral cavity: Sources and pathological outcomes

•Oral cavity tissues are a unique environment constantly exposed to internal and external sources of oxidative stress.•The effect of oxidative stress on the salivary contents and function is presented.•The oxidative mechanisms in oral cells and their pathologic influence are also discussed.

Oxidative stress (OS), an imbalance in the oxidant–antioxidant equilibrium, is thought to be involved in the development of many seemingly unrelated diseases. Oral cavity tissues are a unique environment constantly exposed to internal and external compounds and material hazards as almost no other part of the human body. Some of the compounds are capable of generating OS. Here, the main groups of endogenous as well as exogenous OS sources are presented, followed by their oxidative effect on the salivary contents and function. The oxidative mechanisms in oral cells and their pathologic influence are also discussed.