Micronutrients and bioactive compounds in oral inflammatory diseases

Oral disorders are a significant public health concern. Oral inflammatory diseases are periodontal infections, oral mucosal lesions, pulpal and periapical lesions. The aetiology is multi-factorial and usually associated with a microbial origin, often driven by the overconsumption of free sugars. However, the role of micronutrients in these processes is now becoming apparent. Most of these studies have emphasised on systemic inflammation, but now the trends have shifted towards the role of micronutrients in oral inflammation. The progression of periodontal disease and healing of the periodontal tissues can be modulated by nutritional status. There are numerous degenerative changes in oral mucosa which have been observed during specific micronutrient deficiencies. Recent studies have advocated the use of dietary supplementation of particular micronutrients to treat the oral inflammatory lesions along with their standard treatment procedures. The micronutrient supplementation can be orally administered or locally delivered. Previously reviewed articles usually lacked compiled information regarding all oral inflammatory diseases. The current review provides an insight into the role of nutrition in oral inflammatory diseases, including periodontal disorders, oral mucosal lesions, pulpal and periapical lesions.