Dental Probiotics A Solution for Bad Breath
What are dental probiotics?
Dental probiotics are live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, have a beneficial effect on the host. They work by restoring the balance of bacteria in the mouth, reducing the growth of harmful bacteria that can cause bad breath and other oral health issues.
Are probiotics good for teeth and gums?
A group of helpful bacteria called lactobacilli can fight several kinds of bad bacteria and may help restore a healthy balance in your mouth.
Researchers put some of this bacteria into chewing gum and asked people with the gum disease gingivitis to use it every day. (With gingivitis, your gums are red and swollen and bleed easily.) After 2 weeks, the teeth of the people in the study had less plaque -- the clear, sticky film that can cause cavities or gum disease.
Another study found that lozenges with the same kind of bacteria also helped with inflammation and plaque.
If you have gum disease or are worried about it, talk with your dentist about whether a probiotic like this might be good for you. But remember that the most important things you can do to guard against gum disease are to brush and floss your teeth.
What exactly is a dental probiotic?
Dental probiotics are usually consumed as lozenges (or “candies” as my kids call them) that are sucked on or chewed rather than swallowed. This method of delivery allows them to have the most contact time with the area they’re intended for.
Most lozenges contain between 1-3 bacterial strains that are native to the mouth area and have been shown in clinical research to support oral health.
How oral probiotics and dental probiotics affect oral health?
Oral health is heavily influenced by the oral microbiome. Specific bacterial species that colonize the tooth surface, and create acid by fermenting sugar can lead to cavities. Other bacteria have been shown to cause gum disease, by creating pathogenic plaque at the gumline, eventually causing irreversible bone loss
Oral probiotics and dental probiotics have been researched through dozens of clinical trials, which have demonstrated the efficacy of oral bacterial species in reducing halitosis, symptoms of gum disease, and cavities.
