<p>&nbsp;Background: To evaluate the periodontal status and to investigate the possible role of some antimicrobial proteinsand enzymes, and the oxidant/antioxidant balance in salivaof a geriatric population with different periodontal diseases.Assessments should be made about periodontal health,while preventive measures and treatment options/protocolsshould be developed for the elderly population in our country and in the world.Methods: Eighty participants aged ≥ 65 years were included and their periodontal parameters were recorded. Thesalivary samples of this population with gingivitis (Group 1,n = 21) and periodontitis (Stage III periodontitis (Group 2,n = 23), and Stage IV periodontitis (Group 3, n = 36)) wereinvestigated regarding the presence and levels of someparameters (lysozyme, lactoferrin, lactoperoxidase (LPO),sIgA), and total oxidant and antioxidant status (TOS andTAS) were analyzed with ELISA.Results: Lactoferrin, sIgA, TOS, TAS, and OSI did not present statistically significant differences among the groups (P&gt; 0.05). Lysozyme was similar in Group 1 and Group 2 (P &gt;0.05), but lower in both of these groups compared to Group3 (P &lt; 0.05). Linear discriminant factor function analysisrevealed that salivary LPO, sIgA and TAS levels can discriminate the groups from each other. Strong correlationswere found between lysozyme, LPO, and lactoferrin withperiodontal parameters (p &lt; 0.05).Conclusions: It can be argued that the oxidative mechanism plays a role in the progression and severity of periodontitis in the study population of the present study.</p><p><br></p><p>KeywordsElderly, Saliva, Lysozyme, Lactoferrin, Lactoperoxidase,Secretory immunoglobulin A, Oxidative stress<br></p>