The Protective Role of Polyphenols in Oral Health

The anti-inflammatory, anticariogenic and anticarcinogenic actions of these antioxidants can help fight dental and systemic diseases.

EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES
After reading this course, the participant should be able to:

1. Describe polyphenols and their therapeutic properties that aid disease prevention.
2. Explain the actions by which polyphenols promote oral health, and some of the conditions for which they appear clinically useful.
3. Discuss the extent to which common oral diseases affect the general population.
4. List common pathogenic oral microbes, including species that polyphenols may help inhibit.

This course was issued in the March 2018 issue and expires 3/31/21. The authors have no commercial conflicts of interest to disclose. This 2 credit hour self-study activity is electronically mediated.