Abstract
Background Probiotic organisms are known to reduce caries causing microorganisms mutans streptococci and lactobacilli. Aim of the Study. To evaluate the effect of probiotic Bacillus coagulans Unique IS2 on mutans streptococci and lactobacilli levels in saliva and plaque in children. Introduction Dental caries or tooth decay is because of the demineralization of the tooth enamel leading to the breakdown of the enamel causing cavities to be formed. Demineralization of the tooth happens because of the acid secreted by bacteria like mutans streptococci and lactobacilli. It is now suggested that probiotic usage prevents the overgrowth of these pathogenic microbes, thereby reducing caries activity. Methodology. In this double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study, 48 children with ages ranging from 5 to 15 years were divided into two groups, the probiotic and placebo groups. Chewable tablets with and without probiotic Bacillus coagulans Unique IS2 were administered for two weeks. Stimulated saliva samples and plaque were collected at baseline and at the end of 14 days to measure the pH, mutans streptococci, and lactobacilli count of saliva and plaque using chairside kits. Results A statistically significant reduction in mutans streptococci and lactobacilli counts of both saliva and plaque samples was observed in the B. coagulans Unique IS2 treated group after 14 days of administration compared to the baseline and placebo group (using paired t-test). Conclusion Probiotic Bacillus coagulans Unique IS2 (2 billion cfu) chewable tablet is effective in reduction and inhibition of caries causing mutans streptococci and lactobacilli levels in saliva and plaque in children.
Highlights
Oral diseases are a major health burden globally and people of all ages throughout their lifetime are affected [1]
E probiotic group consumed B. coagulans Unique IS2 chewable tablets (2 billion cfu) once daily for a period of fourteen days whereas the placebo group was administered placebo chewable tablets for the same length of time. Both the placebo and B. coagulans Unique IS2 chewable tablets were manufactured by Unique Biotech Ltd., Hyderabad, India. e placebo chewable tablets differed from the probiotic tablets in that they lacked the active ingredient, B. coagulans Unique IS2; otherwise, they were similar with respect to shape, size, and colour to the probiotic chewable tablets
Salivary and Plaque Mutans Streptococci Levels. ere was a significant reduction (P value < 0.001) in the salivary mutans streptococci levels in the probiotic treated group after 14 days as compared to the baseline (3.86 ± 0.06 to 2.56 ± 0.77) whereas there was no significant change in the placebo group (3.08 ± 0.61 to 3.18 ± 0.54) (Figure 2, Table 2)
Summary
Oral diseases are a major health burden globally and people of all ages throughout their lifetime are affected [1]. It is estimated that oral diseases affect close to 3.5 billion people worldwide, with dental caries (tooth decay) being the most common condition [2]. Probiotic organisms are known to reduce caries causing microorganisms mutans streptococci and lactobacilli. To evaluate the effect of probiotic Bacillus coagulans Unique IS2 on mutans streptococci and lactobacilli levels in saliva and plaque in children. A statistically significant reduction in mutans streptococci and lactobacilli counts of both saliva and plaque samples was observed in the B. coagulans Unique IS2 treated group after 14 days of administration compared to the baseline and placebo group (using paired t-test). Probiotic Bacillus coagulans Unique IS2 (2 billion cfu) chewable tablet is effective in reduction and inhibition of caries causing mutans streptococci and lactobacilli levels in saliva and plaque in children
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