[The role of probiotics in oral health.]

The World Health Organization defines probiotics as: "Live microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host." Probiotics maintain the balance of the normal intestinal flora and prevent the proliferation of pathogenic bacteria. Its therapeutic use in oral health is increasing. The literature reports successful results considering the treatment of caries and periodontal disease with probiotics. In these cases, probiotics effect the oral flora causing the disease. Our research investigates how caries and type I diabetes effect the normal oral flora.

To summarize the literature on this topic and to present our research, which compares the oral microflora of children with or without caries and of healthy children with those having type 1 diabetes. Our research also determines the total oral bacterial and Lactobacillus count, and its species composition.

A 0.5 ml saliva sample is collected from the participants (20 participants/group). The total bacteria count is determined on blood agar, the Lactobacillus is cultured on Rogosa agar. A MALDI-TOF (matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time-of-flight) device is used to identify the different Lactobacillus species.

The total bacterial count of the two test groups did not show a significant difference compared to the control groups (109 vs. 108 CFU/mL). In the groups of children with caries and with diabetes, there was a significant difference in the Lactobacillus count compared to the control groups (102 vs. 103 CFU/mL). The species composition of the Lactobacillus differed in each group.

Cariogenic oral flora can displace the probiotic strains in the oral cavity. Diabetes in childhood can affect the composition of the oral flora.

Restoring the normal oral flora of the oral cavity with probiotics is a possible way of preventing the development of oral diseases. Further research is needed examining the function of individual probiotic strains. Orv Hetil. 2023; 164(24): 942-947.