Micronutrients: an indispensable part of periodontal health

Diet and nutrition are considered to play a cardinal role in maintaining overall health among individuals. Diet is the amount of food consumed by the individuals: whereas nutrition is the process of utilizing food for growth, metabolism and repair of tissues. Periodontal diseases are polymicrobial disease characterized by infiltration of leukocytes, loss of connective tissue, alveolar bone resorption, and formation of periodontal pockets. Periodontal disease is a chronic inflammatory disease, which leads to alteration of the micronutrient levels. Any imbalance of the micronutrient levels leads to increased susceptibility to oxidative damage of tissues. In order to sustain the periodontal tissues in both health and disease depends on the ample source of essential nutrients available to the host. Maintaining a balance of these trace minerals is essential to prevent progression of chronic conditions like periodontitis. Depletion or lack of availability of these nutrients gives rise to malnutrition at either the macro or micronutrient level, both of which are detrimental to periodontal health as well as to general health.