Gingivitis is the inflammation of the soft tissue surrounding the tooth that may progress to a more destructive disease called periodontitis (Carranza and Newman, 2012). The onset and progression of gingivitis is dependent on systemic and genetic factors; however, the main etiological factor for gingivitis is the accumulation of plaque and the harmful bacteria found attached to it (Carranza and Newman, 2012). The oral cavity is normally colonized by more than 500 bacterial species most of which are relatively harmless commensal bacteria; however, it can also host potentially pathogenic bacteria (Jakubovics and Palmer, 2013, Suzuki et al., 2005). The accumulation of plaque can increase the predominance of pathogenic bacteria, alter the homeostasis, and induce disease.
The first line of periodontal therapy is mechanical removal of accumulated plaque/calculus through scaling, root planning and polishing accompanied by oral hygiene instruction for the maintenance of oral health (Carranza and Newman, 2012, Jakubovics and Palmer, 2013). Additionally, chemical antimicrobial agents can play a significant role in supporting standard mechanical procedures by temporarily controlling the microbial load. Antimicrobial agents such as chlorhexidine, cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC), essential oils, chlorine dioxide, hydrogen peroxide, and triclosan are the commonly used (Tartaglia et al., 2017). Chlorhexidine is considered the most effective agent used in plaque control and in periodontal therapy; however, side effects such as tooth discoloration, oral mucosal erosion and taste alteration can be observed (da Costa et al., 2017, Justus et al., 2015).
Probiotics are living microorganisms, mainly bacteria, that are safe for human consumption and positively influence health (Gupta, 2011, Haukioja, 2010). Various strains of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium are commonly used to promote gastrointestinal health. Recently, it has been suggested that some of these strains, as well as strains of Streptococcus, can colonize the oral cavity and reduce the concentration of pathogenic bacteria responsible for caries, periodontal disease and halitosis (Haukioja, 2010, Hillman et al., 2009, Maekawa and Hajishengallis, 2014). Clinical trials have been performed to assess the effect of probiotics on pathogenic oral bacteria after systemic and topic application of the probiotics with promising results (Karuppaiah et al., 2013, Zahradnik et al., 2009); however, publications that include controlled clinical assessment after treatment with probiotics are not abundant.
Probiotic products specifically formulated for oral health are limited and Probiora 3 is the only one containing three strains of streptococci. The purpose of this study is to assess the effect of Probiora 3 mouthwash used for the treatment of plaque induced gingivitis and produce controlled clinical data to support or reject the use of probiotics for treatment of gongivitis. The study also aims to compare the effect of the probiotic mouthwash relative to chlorhexidine, since it is considered the most effective chemical aid in the management of periodontal disease. The clinical signs of gingivitis were assessed and compared to conventional periodontal treatment protocols.