Randomized Controlled Study to Evaluate Microbial Ecological Effects of CPP-ACP and Cranberry on Dental Plaque

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Dental Science
• Oral Health

Background:

• Ecological approaches are crucial for long-term dental caries control and maintaining a healthy oral microbiome.
• Dental caries is a multifactorial disease influenced by the oral microbial ecosystem.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the microbial ecological effects of two interventional toothpastes: casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP) and CPP-ACP supplemented with cranberry extract.
• To compare these dentifrices against an active control fluoride dentifrice in a randomized controlled trial.

Main Methods:

• A double-blinded randomized controlled trial was conducted.
• Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) analyzed bacterial loads of 14 key oral species in dental plaque.
• Participants used interventional toothpastes for 5-6 weeks.

Main Results:

• Both CPP-ACP and CPP-ACP-cranberry dentifrices significantly altered the loads of caries-associated (e.g., *Streptococcus mutans*) and health-associated bacteria compared to baseline.
• The CPP-ACP-cranberry dentifrice showed significant differences in *S. mutans*, *Veillonella parvula*, *Neisseria flavescens*, and *Streptococcus sanguinis* compared to fluoride control.
• No significant differences were found between CPP-ACP and CPP-ACP-cranberry dentifrices for any targeted species.

Conclusions:

• Dentifrices with CPP-ACP and cranberry extracts can beneficially modulate oral microbial ecology.
• These interventions promote a shift towards a microbial community less associated with dental caries.
• This modulation may contribute to lowering the risk of developing new caries lesions in high-risk patients.