Anti-caries Streptococcus spp.: A potential preventive tool for special needs patients

Area of Science:

• Oral microbiology
• Probiotic research
• Dental caries prevention

Background:

• Probiotics are live microorganisms that modulate the host-microbiome interaction to maintain gut health.
• Many commercial probiotics, primarily Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, target Streptococcus mutans for anti-caries effects but have poor oral colonization.
• Limited oral substantivity of current probiotics hinders their efficacy in preventing dental caries.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify Streptococcus species with enhanced probiotic properties for anti-caries applications.
• To evaluate Streptococcus species for their ability to inhibit Streptococcus mutans and their potential for oral colonization.
• To review the literature for Streptococcus species with superior substantivity and anti-caries potential compared to traditional probiotic genera.

Main Methods:

• A narrative literature review was conducted using PubMed, Science Direct, and Google Scholar.
• Searched for English-language articles without time restrictions focusing on dental caries and probiotics.
• Identified Streptococcus species with demonstrated anti-Streptococcus mutans activity and superior oral substantivity.

Main Results:

• Several Streptococcus species were identified as potential anti-caries probiotics.
• Notable species include Streptococcus spp. A12, Streptococcus oralis (AJ3), Streptococcus oligofermentans, and various Streptococcus salivarius strains (K12, M18, JH, LAB813, 24SMB).
• Other identified probiotics include Streptococcus spp. with arginolytic activity (e.g., S. sanguinis, S. gordonii) and specific strains like Streptococcus rattus (JH145), Streptococcus dentisani, and Streptococcus downii.

Conclusions:

• Certain Streptococcus species offer a promising alternative to traditional probiotics for managing dental plaque and caries.
• Their enhanced substantivity in the oral cavity makes them particularly suitable for individuals with disabilities affecting oral hygiene.
• These probiotics represent a novel therapeutic avenue for caries prevention, especially in vulnerable populations.