Benefits of Probiotics in Oral cavity – A Detailed Review

Abstract

The development of resistance to a range of antibiotics by some important pathogens has raised the possibility of a return of humans to the pre-biotic dark ages. The time has come to shift the paradigm of treatment from specific bacteria elimination to altering the bacterial ecology by probiotics. In order to better understand the pathogenesis of various oral diseases, it is necessary to understand the role of the ecology and microbiology of the oral cavity. Thus, the concept of bacteriotherapy has been an emerging field in dentistry. Probiotics are dietary supplements containing potentially beneficial bacteria or yeasts and has been found beneficial to the host health. They help in stimulating health promoting flora and also suppressing pathogens which cause and spread diseases. In the medical field, probiotics are used mainly in support therapy for gastrointestinal diseases. Recently, probiotics are being used as a treatment for various oral diseases. The aim of this review is to examine potential mechanisms of probiotic bacteria in the oral cavity and summarize observed effects of probiotics with respect to oral health. The review focuses on probiotic lactobacilli and bifidobacteria genera that are most utilized in various probiotic products.

Formulation strategies for the oral delivery of probiotics: a review

“…Probiotics are also effective in some other diseases such as candidiasis, voice prosthesis and orthodontic [14][15][16]. Oral cavity hascomplex anatomy so the use of probiotics in oral cavity needs detail study about its activity, most of them are act through direct interaction, competitive exclusion and indirect action [17]. In recent years, the use of probiotics isincreasing day by day, however the utilization of probiotics in various diseases iscomplicated because all the available strains cannot show the required properties for preparation of drug, the choice of probiotic strains for the treatment of diseases on the basis of strain of microorganism, its effectiveness, compatibility with ingredient and safety about patient [18][19][20].…”

Probiotics for Oral Health: Boon or Bane

“…The use of microorganisms to promote health of an individual is very ancient concept and can even be traced back to the classical Roman literature where food fermented with microorganisms was used as a therapeutic agent [4]. (Table 1) [1,[5][6][7] Gibson and Roberfroid Introduced the term 'prebiotic' defined as not digestible food ingredients that beneficially affect the host by selectively stimulating the growth and ⁄or activity of one or a limited number of bacterial species already established in the colon, and thus in effect improve host health. Elie Metchnikoff, Ukranian bacteriologist and (Nobel Laureate -1908) first decade of the 1900s Introduced the concept of probiotics following his observation that Bulgarian people had a longer life span due to the consumption of fermented milk containing viable bacteria.…”

“…Halitosis is not a disease but a discomfort mainly associated with an imbalance of the commensal microflora of the oral cavity. More specifically, halitosis results from the action of anaerobic bacteria that degrade salivary and food proteins to generate amino acids, which are in turn transformed into volatile sulphur compounds, including hydrogen sulphide and methane thiol [1]. The use of Weisellacibaria resulted in reduced levels of volatile sulfide components produced by Fusobacteriumnucleatum.…”

“…Recent research has suggested that consumption of 2 kg/day of Turkish yogurt effectively eliminates biofilm formation on indwelling voice prostheses, possibly related to the presence of Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus bulgaricus in Turkish yogurt. Further research should be carried out to determine if it will possible to treat other infections of the upper digestive tract, like esophagitis, with probiotic containing dairy products rather than with antibiotics [1,12].…”

“…Health of an individual relies on various factors of which a balance between beneficial and pathogenic bacteria is an important criterion to prevent us from getting the disease.With the emergence of multiple resistant strains Antibiotic resistance, is becoming an increasingly important global problem. This causes destruction of beneficial bacteria, leaving resistant ones, pathogenic [1]. An alternative for this might be the use of beneficial bacteria, the probiotics, which stimulate health-promoting indigenous flora and reverting back the change [2].…”