Vitamin C: Its antioxidant effects on periodontitis

Oxidative stress is involved in the pathogenesis of periodontitis. The effects of a variety of antioxidants onthe prevention and treatment of periodontitis have been examined in animal studies. Vitamin C is a well-known water-soluble vitamin having antioxidant, anticarcinogenic, and immunomodulatory actions. Epidemiological studies have indicated a negative association between plasma vitamin C levels and the severity of periodontitis. A clinical study reports that the intake of grapefruit leads to an increase in plasma vitamin C levels and reduces gingival bleeding. Recent animal studies show that vitamin C intake improves oxidative damage of periodontal tissueand increases the level of serum vitamin C. It is possible that an adequate level of vitamin C intake may function as an antioxidant therapy to control oxidative stress, and be clinically beneficial in suppressingthe progression of human periodontitis. However, large scale randomized clinical trials will be required to confirm the effects of vitamin C on human periodontitis.