Salivary melatonin may play an important role in maintaining periodontal health, according to a new study published in the Journal of Periodontology. This is one of the first attempts to examine the influence of salivary melatonin upon periodontal disease, an inflammation that destroys the tissues and bone that support the teeth.

Researchers report an interrelationship between periodontal and systemic inflammation in solid-organ-transplant recipients.

Periodontal diseases are a threat to women of all ages due to hormonal fluctuations that occur at various stages of their lives.

A literature review published in the August issue of the Journal of Periodontology (JOP) saw a strong relationship between stress and periodontal diseases; 57% of the studies included in the review showed a positive relationship between periodontal diseases and psychological factors such as stress, distress, anxiety, depression and loneliness.