Periodontitis and Redox Status: A Review

Periodontal diseases are common inflammatory conditions of the supporting apparatus of the teeth which lead to early tooth loss. This review discusses the evidence for a role of reactive oxygen species in inducing periodontal tissue damage and focuses on recent evidence showing increased local and systemic alterations in the redox balance of periodontitis. An appraisal of the methods for analysis of oxidative stress in periodontal disease research is provided, showing an increase in oxidative stress measures and oxidative damage fingerprints detected in studies investigating periodontitis cases compared to healthy controls. Hypotheses on the relationships between oxidative stress and inflammatory responses and on the role of redox status in periodontal medicine are discussed. Finally, the review provides an overview of possible intervention pathways for the use of antioxidants as adjuncts to mechanical biofilm removal for the treatment of periodontitis.