Salivary TAC and Periodontal Disease: A Dynamic Interplay and the Case for Topical Antioxidants

Periodontal disease (PD) has long been a pervasive concern in the dental community. Characterized by bleeding gums and significant inflammation, it can lead to tooth loss, bone loss and, if untreated, pose systemic health risks. Recent research highlights the relationship between Salivary Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC) and Periodontal Disease (PD), indicating the potential of topically applied antioxidants as an adjunctive treatment. Lets dive into this exciting frontier.

The Role of Salivary TAC in Periodontal Health: Salivary TAC is a measure of the combined antioxidant activity of all antioxidants present in saliva. A balanced TAC is crucial in maintaining oral homeostasis, primarily due to its role in combating oxidative stress, a key factor in periodontal inflammation. When oxidative stress markers are high, TAC in saliva is depleted. Oxidative stress, as indicated by altered TAC, play a role in the onset and progression of periodontal conditions. The link between Salivary Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC) and periodontal disease (PD) has been an area of interest in periodontal research.

Why Topical Antioxidants? Salivas' antioxidant components stem from both systemic circulation and local oral tissues. When these are inadequate due to systemic conditions, dietary insufficiencies, or aggressive oral pathogens, the balance skews, paving the way for PD. Herein lies the potential of topical antioxidants. By introducing antioxidants directly to the oral environment, they can immediately combat local oxidative stress, as demonstrated by Chapple et. al., who found a marked reduction in oxidative stress markers with topical antioxidant application. Periodontal pockets, the spaces between gums and teeth where pathogens thrive, can be directly accessed, and treated with antioxidant gels or rinses.

Supporting Research: The Case for Topical Antioxidant Supplementation is robust as referenced at the end of this article. Brock et. al.,(https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15191586/ ) research showcased that patients with periodontal disease, when treated with topical antioxidants, exhibited not just improved TAC levels but also reduced clinical signs of PD. Furthermore, A meta-analysis (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8389262/ ) published in 2021 emphasized that antioxidant-rich gels could accelerate healing post periodontal treatments, highlighting their potential role in post-operative care.

Concluding Thoughts: For individuals grappling with periodontal disease, ensuring a robust salivary antioxidant defense is paramount. The burgeoning evidence underscores the efficacy of topical antioxidants in not just enhancing TAC but also in directly combating the pathophysiological changes seen in PD. As dental professionals, recognizing this link and integrating antioxidant therapies into our treatment regimens can redefine the way we tackle periodontal challenges. #PeriodontalHealth #TAC #TopicalAntioxidants #OralHealth #OralSystemicLink

Additional Research:?

Scully et. al. (2003) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12650638/, published Clinical Science

Title: "Periodontal disease is associated with lower antioxidant capacity in whole saliva and evidence of increased protein oxidation."??

Findings: The study found that periodontal disease is associated with reduced antioxidant capacity in saliva and an increase in oxidative protein damage.?

Chapple, I. L., Mason, G. I., Garner, I., Matthews, J. B., Thorpe, G. H., Maxwell, S. R., & Whitehead, T. P. (1997), published Annals of Clinical Biochemistry.

Title: "Enhanced chemiluminescent assay for measuring the total antioxidant capacity of serum, saliva, and crevicular fluid."??

Findings: The study highlighted an enhanced method to measure the antioxidant capacity in serum, saliva, and crevicular fluid, emphasizing its relevance in periodontal research.

Gowri Pendyala, Biju Thomas, Saurabh R Joshi (2013), North American Journal of Medical Sciences

Title: "Evaluation of the total antioxidant capacity of saliva in type 2 diabetic patients with and without periodontal disease: A case-control study."??

Findings: The study revealed that salivary antioxidant capacity is decreased in type 2 diabetic patients with periodontal disease compared to those without.

?Novakovic, N., Cakic, S., Todorovic, T., Raicevic, B. A., Dozic, I., & Petrovic, V. (2014), Journal of Periodontal Research

Title: "Salivary antioxidants as periodontal biomarkers in evaluation of tissue status and treatment outcome."??

Findings: This study underscores the significance of salivary antioxidants as biomarkers in assessing periodontal tissue status and predicting treatment outcomes.

?Ramnarayan Belur Krishna Prasad, Akhilesh Sharma, Harsha Mysore Babu (2013), Dental Research Journal

Title: "An insight into salivary markers in oral cancer."??

Findings: Although primarily focused on oral cancer, this research touched upon the correlation between compromised salivary TAC and the increased risk of periodontal disease.

?Fatemeh Ahmadi-Motamayel, Mohammad T Goodarzi, Zohreh Jamshidi (2017), Frontiers of Physiology.??

Title: "Evaluation of Salivary and Serum Antioxidant and Oxidative Stress Statuses in Patients with Chronic Periodontitis: A Case-Control Study."??

Findings: This study indicated increased levels of salivary and serum oxidative stresses and lower TAC in patients with chronic periodontitis.