Probiotics and Oral Health

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of probiotic lozenges as an adjunct to scaling and root planing (SRP) in chronic periodontitis patients. Thirty chronic periodontitis patients divided in examined group (SRP+ probiotic, n=15) and control group (SRP, n=15), were monitored clinically (plaque index(PI), the gingival index(GI), the probing pocket depth(PD), clinical attachment level(CAL) and microbiological parameters were recorded on day 0, and 1 month after therapy. The Prolife lozenges containing: Bacillus coagulans (Lactobacillus sporogenes), Lactobacillus acidophilus, Streptococcus thermophilus, Lactobacillus bulgaricus, Bifidobacterium bifidum (≥ 2,1 x 109), were used two times a day for 15 days. PI and GI were significantly reduced in both groups (p < 0.05) after the treatment. PD in examined group of 4,93 0,7mm decreased to 3,960,8 mm (p>0,05), versus mean PD of 5,2  0,7 mm in control group that was equally after the treatment (p>0,05). CAL gains of 4,21,3 mm to 3,861,3mm in the examined group versus 4,361,2 mm to 4,2 1,2 (p>0,05) in control group. Microbiological examination demonstrated decreased of quantum of above 100 bacterial colonies of anaerobes and facultative anaerobes, from 66,7% to 33,3% in the examined group, according to 53,3% to 46,7% in control group. Despite data indicate an effect of probiotics on the oral microbiota and a more limited effect on clinical periodontal outcome measures, it can be recommended as a useful adjunct to SRP in chronic periodontitis patients.