Antioxidants and periodontal disease

Abstract This chapter reviews the nature, catagorization and function of antioxidants and their role in the pathogenesis and prevention of periodontal diseases. The evidence for oxidative stress as a cause of periodontal tissue damage is discussed alongside the evidence base for antioxidant depletion being a feature of periodontal pathology. Sources of antioxidants and potential causes of their depletion in periodontitis are discussed. The chapter concludes with a look into the future potential uses of antioxidants in the management of periodontitis.