Abstract
The objective of this trial was to evaluate whether the regular consumption of probiotics may improve the known deterioration of periodontal health in navy sailors during deployments at sea. 72 healthy sailors of a naval ship on a practicing mission at sea were recruited and randomly provided with a blinded supply of lozenges to be consumed twice daily for the following 42 days containing either the probiotic strains Lactobacillus reuteri (DSM 17938 and L. reuteri (ATTC PTA 5289) (test n=36) or no probiotics (placebo n=36). At baseline, at day 14 and day 42 bleeding on probing (primary outcome), gingival index, plaque control record, probing attachment level, and probing pocket depth were assessed at the Ramfjord teeth. At baseline there were no significant differences between the groups. At day 14 and day 42 test group scores of all assessed parameters were significantly improved (P<0.001) compared to baseline and to the placebo group which by contrast showed a significant (P<0.001) deterioration of all parameters at the end of the study. The consumption of probiotic L. reuteri-lozenges is an efficacious measure to improve and maintain periodontal health in situations with waning efficacy of personal oral hygiene.
Highlights
According to current etiological concepts the dysbiotic overgrowth of virulent inflammophilic pathobionts within the sulcular microbiota is an essential step for the clinical manifestation of gingivitis and periodontitis.[1]
According to a definition set by a joint expert group of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations probiotics are “live microorganisms which, when administered in adequate
Based on data from numerous investigations probiotic strains of Lactobacillus reuteri appear to be suited for being used in the evaluation of such an alternative strategy in the control of gingivitis
Summary
According to current etiological concepts the dysbiotic overgrowth of virulent inflammophilic pathobionts within the sulcular microbiota is an essential step for the clinical manifestation of gingivitis and periodontitis.[1]. In in vitro experiments they inhibited the growth of a variety of bacterial periodontopathogens and oral Candida species by the release of specific bacteriocines, hydrogen peroxide or organic acids.[4,5] Further animal studies identified a host of immunmodulatory interactions between probiotic L. reuteri strains and the mucosal immune system, affecting targets as diverse as t-cell maturation,[6] inhibition of proinflammatory cytokine production,[7] and the upregulation of healingpromoting plasma levels of oxytocin.[8] The objective of this trial was to evaluate whether the regular consumption of probiotics may improve the known deterioration of periodontal health in navy sailors during deployments at sea
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