The relationship between oxidative stress and periodontium destruction

The periodontium is a tooth-supporting tissue consisting of gingiva, cementum, periodontal ligament and alveolar bone. Damage to the periodontium causes periodontal disease which occurs due to an imbalance between bacterial colonization in the oral cavity and host immune factors, triggering oxidative stress which worsens the condition of the periodontium. This review aimed to describe the relationship of oxidative stress to periodontium destruction. The interaction between host factors and periodontal bacteria causes a defensive process which ends in the destruction of the pathogen and local tissue damage. Increased oxygen consumption and induction of periodontal pathogens will result in an explosion of respiration by polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL) and cause an increase in the release of free radicals that are bactericidal, but on the other hand also cause damage to the periodontium. Various studies have shown that high free radicals will trigger oxidative stress and cause periodontium destruction. Oxidative stress plays a role in damage that occurs in the oral cavity, especially destruction to the periodontium. An imbalance in the production of free radicals and antioxidants in the gingival sulcus fluid and saliva can generate oxidative stress and become the basis for periodontium damage and exacerbation of periodontal disease.