The Role of Antioxidant Vitamins C, D, and E in Periodontal Health Before and After Treatment

Abstract

Periodontal diseases, characterized by chronic inflammation and tissue destruction, are significantly influenced by oxidative stress and the body's antioxidant defense mechanisms. This study investigates the role of antioxidant vitamins C, D, and E in periodontal health before and after non-surgical periodontal treatment. A total of 120 participants with moderate to severe periodontitis were divided into two groups: a control group receiving scaling and root planing (SRP) alone and a test group receiving SRP combined with daily supplementation of vitamins C (500 mg), D (1000 IU), and E (400 IU) for 3 months. Clinical parameters, including probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL), and bleeding on probing (BOP), were measured at baseline and 3 months post-treatment. Serum levels of vitamins C, D, and E were also assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The results demonstrated significant improvements in clinical parameters in both groups, with the test group showing more substantial reductions in PD (3.5 ± 0.5 mm vs. 4.1 ± 0.6 mm, p<0.01), CAL (3.7 ± 0.6 mm vs. 4.3 ± 0.7 mm, p<0.05), and BOP (20.3 ± 7.2% vs. 30.4 ± 8.5%, p<0.01) compared to the control group. Serum levels of vitamins C, D, and E increased significantly in the test group (vitamin C: 1.5 ± 0.4 mg/dL, p<0.001; vitamin D: 35.6 ± 6.1 ng/mL, p<0.01; vitamin E: 12.3 ± 2.0 mg/L, p<0.001), while the control group showed no significant changes. A strong negative correlation was observed between serum antioxidant levels and clinical parameters, indicating that higher antioxidant levels were associated with better periodontal health. These findings suggest that antioxidant vitamins C, D, and E are critical in reducing oxidative stress and enhancing periodontal healing. Supplementation with these vitamins may serve as a valuable adjunct to conventional periodontal therapy, offering a promising strategy for improving clinical outcomes in patients with periodontal disease.