Antioxidant Nutrients in Periodontal Health

Abstract

Periodontitis is a chronic, inflammatory disease that develops in response to bacteria and their products and results in destruction in tooth supporting tissues. Oxidative stress is caused by the imbalance between the production of reactive species such as reactive oxygen and nitrogen species and the antioxidant defense system. Reactive species can cause tissue damage by initiating free radical chain reactions. Oxidative stress plays a role in the pathogenesis of many diseases including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer and periodontal disease. It has been reported that oxidative stress is increased and total antioxidant capacity is decreased in periodontal disease. In a healthy organism there is a balance between oxidants and antioxidants. Although antioxidant defense is a naturally occurring mechanism in the organism, external sources may also support this defense. The use of antioxidants in the treatment of periodontal disease and periodontal health has gained importance in recent studies. Antioxidants can be used to treat periodontal disease locally or systemically. Antioxidants, which play an important role in the stabilization of oxidative stress, are easily accessible through nutrition in our daily life. The aim of this review is to evaluate the role of antioxidant nutrients in periodontal health.