Effect of Probiotics on Dental Caries and Periodontal Pathogens: An In Vitro Study

Abstract

Introduction: Probiotics are microorganisms that are administered in live forms and can improve health and well being of human beings. Literature about their antimicrobial activity against oral pathogens is limited. The present study was conceptualized to ascertain the antimicrobial capabilities of common probiotics against microorganisms involved in dental caries and periodontal diseases. The aim of this article is to ascertain the action of probiotics on dental caries pathogen, Streptococcus mutans, and periodontal microbes that included Porphyromonas gingivalis, Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, and Prevotella intermedia. Materials and Methods: The present study was an in vitro type of study. A. actinomycetemcomitans was cultivated in tryptic soy-serum-bacitracin-vancomycin-fluoride agar, Po. gingivalis in modified Wilkins–Chalgren medium, and Pr. intermedia in brain heart infusion agar. The samples were cultivated for 48 h in Brewer-like anaerobic jars. The first plate was impregnated with strains of the probiotic Lactobacillus acidophilus, the second plate with strain of the probiotic S. salivarius, and the third plate was kept as the control. Zones of inhibition were calculated by unaided eye employing a Vernier caliper to the nearest millimeter, including the diameter of the disk in the measurement. Results: Analysis of variance test exhibited significant findings at 24 and 48 h. Post hoc Tukey test revealed results that were statistically significant for all microorganisms but for A. actinomycetemcomitans and Pr. intermedia. Conclusion: The findings showed significant effect of probiotics on common microbes implicated in dental caries and periodontal diseases. The present study has crucial public health implications for the prevention and control of common oral diseases in populations.