Title Use of Probiotics to Reduce the Level of Streptococcus Mutans in the Oral Environment
Clinical Question In patients who are highly susceptible to dental caries, does the use of probiotics reduce the level of streptococcus mutans in their oral environment as compare to no use?
Clinical Bottom Line Evidence supports the use of probiotics to reduce the level of streptococcus mutans in the oral environment.
Best Evidence  
PubMed ID Author / Year Patient Group Study type
(level of evidence)
23810047Jose/201360 subjects having orthodontic treatments.Randomized Controlled Trial
Key resultsIn patients who used probiotic toothpaste or consumed probiotic curd, the concentration of streptococcus mutans was significantly reduced in the plaque around the bracket at P<0.05. However, the difference between the toothpaste and the curd was not significant.
23342560Juneja/201240 children between the ages 12-15 with medium to high caries risk.Randomized Controlled Trial
Key resultsChildren who consumed milk containing Lactobacillus rhamnosus hct 70 had significantly (P<0.001) lower post follow up level of streptococcus mutans in their saliva.
Evidence Search "Probiotics"[Mesh] AND "Streptococcus mutans"[Mesh]
Comments on
The Evidence
Both authors Jose and Juneja reported RCTs focusing on the use of probiotics to reduce the number of streptococcus mutans in the oral environment. These studies were done over short period of time and had small sample size. Both of these studies do not include healthy adults without any oral appliances.
Applicability Both studies demonstrate that use of probiotic significantly reduces the level of streptococcus mutans. Since s. mutans are one of the major microorganisms responsible for causing caries, it may be beneficial to consume probiotics or use toothpaste with probiotics. However, bacterium counts used as the outcome measure is a surrogate measure and simply seeing a reduction in the counts does not necessarily translate to health benefits for the patient. Therefore, probiotics should not be used as a sole therapy at this time.
Specialty (Public Health) (General Dentistry) (Orthodontics) (Pediatric Dentistry) (Periodontics) (Dental Hygiene) (Interprofessional CATs)
Keywords Probiotics, Streptococcus mutants, dental caries
ID# 2630
Date of submission 03/13/2014
E-mail kangj@livemail.uthscsa.edu
Author James Kang
Co-author(s)
Co-author(s) e-mail
Faculty mentor Georgiana S. Gross, MPH
Faculty mentor e-mail grossg@uthscsa.edu
   
Basic Science Rationale
(Mechanisms that may account for and/or explain the clinical question, i.e. is the answer to the clinical question consistent with basic biological, physical and/or behavioral science principles, laws and research?)
None available
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Comments and Evidence-Based Updates on the CAT
(FOR PRACTICING DENTISTS', FACULTY, RESIDENTS and/or STUDENTS COMMENTS ON PUBLISHED CATs)
None available