Impact of Oral Probiotics on Oral Homeostasis - a Randomized Double Blind Study

Oral health is built upon a symbiotic relationship between the resident oral microbiota and the immune system of the host. Therefore, structural or functional changes to either the microbiota or the immune system may result in dysbiosis, which in turn can lead to oral diseases such as gingivitis, periodontitis and dental caries.

The composition of the resident oral microbiota in oral health is shaped by ecological properties found at various sites of the oral cavity, which is why major site-specific variations are observed. Interestingly, the composition of the oral microbiota is individualized and relatively time stable as long as oral homeostasis is maintained. However, structure and function of the oral microbiota can be altered by internal and external perturbations. For example, it has previously demonstrated that oral hygiene discontinuation induces structural changes to the supragingival plaque microbiota, whereas non-surgical periodontal treatment has deep impact on the composition of the subgingival plaque microbiota. Interestingly, a recent study demonstrated that the composition of the resident oral microbiota may also be influenced by external perturbations. Specifically, daily use of ZendiumTM toothpaste for 12 weeks was reported to induce significant changes to the supragingival plaque microbiota in oral healthy individuals with an increase in health-associated bacterial species.

Probiotics is the term used when a harmless effector strain is implanted in the host's microbiota to maintain or restore a natural microbiome by interference and/or inhibition of other microorganisms, and especially pathogens. In a recent study, it was demonstrated an effect of using tablets containing a mix of Lactobacillus rhamnosus PB01, DSM 14869 and Lactobacillus curvatus EB10, DSM 32307 on gingival inflammation. Specifically, daily use of this probiotic candidate for four weeks resulted in significant reduction in clinical parameters such as bleeding on probing (BOP) and amount of gingival crevicular fluid (GCF).

However, at present it is not known if daily use of a probiotic tablet containing a mix of L. rhamnosus PB01, DSM 14869 and L. curvatus EB10, DSM 32307 is able to induce shifts to the composition of the oral microbiota, or cause a decrease in salivary levels of inflammation-related proteins such as neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) and transferrin, which is the purpose of the present study.