Probiotics and Oral Health: A Review

Abstract

The concept health-promoting micro-organisms and bacteriotherapy to support immune function was first introduced at the beginning of the 20th century. The development of modern dairy industry came into existence later. In milk fermentation, probiotic strains such as lactobacilli or bifidobacteria are used even today. Time has come to shift the paradigm of treatment from specific bacteria elimination to altering bacterial ecology by probiotics. Probiotics are food supplements containing beneficial bacteria. They help in stimulating health flora and also suppressing pathogens which cause and spread diseases. Various chronic diseases such as dental caries, periodontitis and recurring problems like halitosis, candidal infections, etc has been controlled in the oral cavity by use of probiotics. Probiotics may function not only by direct inhibition of, or enhanced competition with, pathogenic micro-organisms, but also by more subtle mechanisms including modulation of the mucosal immune system. This article summarizes on the potential benefits of probiotics for oral health.