Clinical Applications of Probiotics in Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics—A Systematic Review

Introduction: older adults, probiotic supplementation is considered promising for improving cognitive function and metabolic health, especially in conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and hypertension. However, the extent and consistency of these effects are not yet well established in the scientific literature. In older adults, probiotic supplementation is considered promising for improving cognitive function and metabolic health, especially in conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. Objective: this study aims to evaluate the cognitive and metabolic effects of probiotic use in older adults through a meta-umbrella review. Methods: a meta-umbrella review was conducted following the JBI methodology and the Reporting Guideline for Overviews of Interventions in Health (PRIOR). A systematic search was performed in databases including Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE, Cochrane, Epistemonikos, and CINAHL. Studies included systematic reviews and meta-analyses evaluating the cognitive and metabolic effects of probiotic supplementation in elderly individuals. Data extraction, quality assessment (using AMSTAR and ROBIS tools), and statistical analyses, including heterogeneity tests and meta-analytical synthesis, were performed. Results: from an initial pool of 287 studies, 24 systematic reviews and meta-analyses were included. The findings suggest that probiotic supplementation significantly improves cognitive function, particularly in individuals with neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease (SMD = 1.34, 95% CI: 0.51–2.16, p < 0.01). Regarding glycemic control, probiotics led to a reduction in fasting glucose levels (MD = -0.98 mmol/L, 95% CI: -1.17 to -0.78, p < 0.00001) and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) (MD = -0.19%, 95% CI: -0.32 to -0.07, p = 0.003). Probiotic supplementation also improved lipid metabolism by lowering total cholesterol (MD = -8.43 mg/dL, 95% CI: -12.57 to -4.28, p < 0.001) and LDL cholesterol (MD = -5.08 mg/dL, 95% CI: -7.63 to -2.53, p < 0.01), while increasing HDL cholesterol levels (MD = +1.14 mg/dL, 95% CI: 0.28–2.00, p = 0.009). Blood pressure regulation showed moderate benefits, with reductions in systolic blood pressure (MD = -3.10 mmHg, 95% CI: -5.04 to -1.16, p = 0.002) and diastolic blood pressure (MD = -1.98 mmHg, 95% CI: -3.84 to -0.12, p = 0.04). Additionally, probiotics significantly reduced inflammatory biomarkers, including C-reactive protein (CRP) (MD = -0.62 mg/L, 95% CI: -0.91 to -0.33, p < 0.001) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) (MD = -0.27 pg/mL, 95% CI: -0.49 to -0.05, p = 0.02). Despite these promising findings, heterogeneity across studies was moderate to high, with I² values ranging from 40% to 85%, indicating variability in study populations, intervention durations, and probiotic strains used. Conclusion: probiotic supplementation appears to be a promising intervention for improving cognitive and metabolic health in older adults. The modulation of the gut microbiota plays a key role in regulating inflammation, energy metabolism, and neurotransmission, which may contribute to these health benefits. However, due to variations in study designs and probiotic formulations, further high-quality randomized clinical trials are needed to establish optimal strains, dosages, and treatment durations.

The aim of this review was to evaluate the beneficial effects of probiotic supplementation on extremely low birthweight infants (birthweight <1000 g). Extremely low birthweight (ELBW) infants are the most vulnerable population in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). They are at the highest risk for necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), sepsis, and inadequate nutrition due to their immature gastrointestinal (GI) function. Nutrition plays an important role in the future neurodevelopmental outcomes of these infants. Research methods for the review were conducted using PubMed and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL). In total, eight research studies evaluated the effect of probiotic use in ELBW infants: three studies assessed GI colonization, five studies assessed enteral feeding and GI tolerance, one study assessed growth, five studies assessed NEC, five studies assessed sepsis, and two studies assessed length of hospital stay. This review found the use of probiotics improved GI tolerance, weight gain and length of hospital stay in ELBW infants, but was unable to make conclusions on the effect of probiotic use on incidences of NEC and sepsis. More research is needed in ELBW infants before making probiotic supplementation a standard of care in this population.

Journal of Midwifery & Women's HealthVolume 57, Issue 5 p. 537-537 American College of Nurse-Midwives Annual Meeting Effects of Probiotic Use During Pregnancy on Lactobacillus and Group B Streptococcus Vaginal Colonization: Pilot Results First published: 06 September 2012 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1542-2011.2012.00223.xCitations: 1Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat No abstract is available for this article.Citing Literature Volume57, Issue5September/October 2012Pages 537-537 ACNM Members ACNM Members: Click here to log in RelatedInformation

The use of probiotics has gained considerable popularity in the marketplace in the US and has been steadily increasing due to consumer interest in potential treatment of various diseases, which may be due to modulation of immune responses. The aim of this review is to present information from representative studies regarding some of the possible applications and clinical effects of probiotic use in diseases of altered immunoglobulin (IgE) regulation (allergic rhinitis (AR), asthma, atopic dermatitis (AD) and food sensitization). Reports in humans are sparse or controversial; there is currently little reliable scientific data that supports the theory that there exists a cause–effect relationship between taking probiotics and alleviation of allergic disease. Unfortunately, these findings are too variable to allow substantial conclusions as to the efficacy and effectiveness of probiotic use in these disease states.

Aim Probiotics are live microorganisms that are part of the human microbiota. The intestines are the habitat for approximately 1013-1014 microorganisms, mainly Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes. The gut microbiota is an individual characteristic for each person and can change due to many factors, including: age, diet, and health status. The gut microbiota plays a key role in the proper functioning of the brain-gut axis, thus contributing to human health and mental well-being. The aim of this study was to present the effect of probiotic use in the course of selected psychiatric disorders. Material and methods The literature review was performed using information from PubMed/Medline, ScienceDirect, and Polish Psychiatry databases that were published before 2022. Results and discussion: A factor associated with disorders such as depression, autism, Alzheimer's disease, and mental anorexia is the generalized inflammation taking place in the patient's body. Research indicates that the inflammatory response may be caused by an imbalance in the intestinal barrier and disruption of its continuity, which may result in translocation of bacteria into the blood and activation of the immune system. The use of probiotics may play a significant role in maintaining the bacterial balance in the gastrointestinal tract and the proper functioning of the gut-brain axis, which provides a link between gut function and the emotional and cognitive centers of the brain. Conclusions Probiotics may improve mental health and cognitive function, but more clinical studies are needed on the clinical significance of the effects and how they compare to current therapies.

Polyacid-modified composite resins (“compomers”) and their use in clinical dentistry

To determine the role of pre-adolescents' conceptions in improving their oral health in a school-based health education programme. A school-based programme was designed as a 3-month intervention study for a representative sample of 9-year-olds (n = 338) in 12 schools in Tehran, Iran. The schools were randomly assigned to the intervention groups and controls, separately for boys' and girls' schools. Children (n = 222) underwent two kinds of oral health education programmes. The control group (n = 116) had no intervention. Positive changes in the child's oral health conceptions were evaluated after the programme as determinants of each child's oral health. Final effects of the intervention were assessed as improvements in gingival health when all index teeth with bleeding at baseline became healthy (healthy gingiva). Statistical analysis included chi-square, independent samples t-test and logistic regression models. Factor analyses were applied to the child's oral health conceptions. Three factors regarding the children's oral health conceptions emerged. After the programme, boys and girls in the intervention group experienced fewer barriers to dental care than did the controls. Healthy gingiva was apparent among the boys (OR = 2.0) and the girls (OR = 4.1) in the intervention group. Girls experienced fewer barriers to dental care after the programme (OR = 1.5) and achieved more healthy gingiva, but boys' oral health conceptions showed no effect on the health of their gingiva. In designing health education programmes, in addition to other determinants, pre-adolescents' oral health conceptions deserve consideration. Intervention planning necessitates awareness of gender differences.

Probiotics are bacterial cultures or living microorganisms, which on ingestion in a certain quantity, promote, and enhance health benefits. A few conventional foods containing probiotics include yogurt, fermented and unfermented milk, cheese, etc. Strains of genera Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium are the most widely used probiotic bacteria. Conventionally, probiotics have been associated with the gastrointestinal tract; however, recently several investigators have suggested the use of probiotics for oral health. This article describes the mechanism of action and role of probiotics in general and oral health and discusses the potential benefits of probiotics in oral health.

Alterations of intestinal microflora are involved in the pathogenesis and natural history of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs). Manipulation of human gut microbiota with probiotics may be a therapeutic option. In this retrospective cohort study, the benefits of probiotic use in reducing adverse events were analyzed. Data from clinical charts of IBD patients followed up for at least 36months were retrieved. The occurrence of adverse events including the need for systemic steroids, hospitalization, and surgery related to IBD was analyzed according to age, gender, body mass index, treatments, IBD phenotype, disease duration, and probiotic use. The amount of probiotic use was calculated as the ratio of time under probiotic treatment to the disease duration starting from the date of the first probiotic administration and expressed as a percentage. Patients were stratified according to the percentage of probiotic use as ≤ 24%, 25-74%, and ≥ 75%, and the number of adverse events per patient-years was calculated. Results were adjusted for Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) by multivariate analysis including study variables. Data from 200 patients (78 CD, 122 UC; 117 females; mean age 40.6 ± 15.3years; mean disease duration 12.1 ± 8.7years) were available. CD patients taking probiotics for 25-74% of the disease duration experienced a 64% reduction in total adverse events. The need for systemic steroids, hospitalization, and surgery dropped to zero events per person-year in UC patients and decreased by 93% (p < 0.001) in CD patients taking probiotics for ≥ 75% of the disease duration. Our findings suggest that the use of probiotics may be an additional therapeutic tool in patients with IBD.

ContextPrevious reviews have focused on the effects of probiotics on colitis, but there is a need to understand their impact on barrier integrity and tight junction protein improvement in colitis.ObjectiveThis study aimed to systematically examine the effects of probiotic use on barrier integrity in colitis disease. This study was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines.Data SourcesA systematic search in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane databases identified 2537 articles.Data ExtractionAs a result of the search, 2537 articles were accessed. Study results were summarized descriptively through discussions by intervention conditions, study population, measurement methods, and key findings. The included studies were independently reviewed and all authors reached consensus on the quality and major findings from the included articles. Forty-six studies that met the inclusion criteria were analyzed within the scope of the systematic review.ResultsAlthough the study primarily utilized probiotics from the Lactobacillaceae family (notably, L casei, L reuteri, L rhamnosus, L plantarum, and L pentosus) and the Bifidobacteriaceae family (notably, B breve, B animalis, and B dentium), other probiotics also demonstrated positive effects on tight junction proteins. These effects are attributed to the production of bioactive and metabolic compounds, as well as short-chain fatty acids, which combat pathogens and reduce anti-inflammatory agents. However, it was observed that the effects of these probiotics on tight junction proteins varied depending on the strain and dose.ConclusionThe beneficial effects of probiotics on remission in inflammatory bowel disease are well documented. Studies show that probiotics generally improve intestinal barrier function, but factors such as dose, duration, and bacterial species combinations need further clarification. Additionally, comprehensive studies are needed to understand how improved barrier function affects absorption in individuals.Systematic Review RegistrationPROSPERO registration no. CRD42023452774.

BackgroundTreatment with fixed orthodontic appliances has been associated with significant biofilm accumulation, thus putting patients at a higher risk of oral health deterioration. The use of probiotics has been proposed to be useful in the prevention or treatment of oral pathologies such as caries and diseases of periodontal tissues. Our aim was to investigate the effects of probiotic use on inflammation of the gingival tissues and the decalcification of the enamel in patients being treated with fixed orthodontic appliances.MethodsWe searched without restrictions 8 databases and performed hand searching until September 2019. We searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating whether individuals with fixed orthodontic appliances benefit from probiotic treatment in terms of the inflammation of the gingivae and decalcification of the enamel. Following the selection of studies and the extraction of pertinent data, we appraised the risk of bias and the confidence in the observed effects based on established methodologies.ResultsFrom the final qualifying studies, three did not show any statistically significant effect on gingival inflammation after probiotic administration of up to 1 month. Similarly, non-significant differences were noted in another study regarding white spot lesions development (mean administration for 17 months). No adverse effects were reported and the level of evidence was considered moderate.ConclusionsSupplementation of orthodontic patients with probiotics did not affect the development of inflammation in the gingivae and decalcification in the enamel. Additional RCTs, with longer intervention and follow-up periods, and involving different combinations of probiotic strains are required.Trial registrationPROSPERO (CRD42018118008)

Oral health of teenage children in South Australia

The family environment, especially parents, plays a very big role in developing positive behavior towards dental and oral health. Parental involvement in developing positive behavioral patterns in maintaining oral health is implemented in their children in daily life, both directly and indirectly. The way to improve dental and oral health is for parents to pay attention to children's behavior regarding dental health and children's eating patterns that consume little cariogenic food. The aim of this research is to determine the role of parents in maintaining children's dental and oral health at Abdi Agape Elementary School. The method used in this research is a quantitative method with a descriptive approach. The total population was 260 parents using a sampling technique, namely purposive sampling with the Slovin formula, namely 72 respondents. The results of this study show that parents who carry out their role in maintaining children's dental and oral health are in the good category for the role of parents in regulating food diet as much as 88.89%, the good category for brushing children's teeth as much as 76.39%, and the bad category for brushing children's teeth. control of children's dental health was 51.39%. This research can be concluded that the majority of parents' role in maintaining children's dental and oral health in the role of parents in regulating food diet and the role of parents in brushing children's teeth have good criteria. Then the role of parents in controlling children's dental health has poor criteria. Keyword : Role of Parents, Maintaining Children’s, Dental and Oral Health

Role of gut microbiota disruption in prosthetic joint infection: a scoping review.

How COVID-19 deepens child oral health inequities