Probiotics for caries prevention: A narrative review

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Oral Health
• Preventive Dentistry

Background:

• Dental caries is a global health issue caused by oral microbiome imbalance.
• Current prevention methods like fluoride lack specificity and can harm beneficial microbes.
• Probiotics offer a promising strategy to restore microbial balance and manage caries.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the mechanisms, efficacy, and clinical applications of probiotics in caries prevention.
• To explore specific probiotic strains and their impact on cariogenic bacteria.
• To discuss challenges and future innovations in probiotic-based caries management.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on probiotics for dental caries.
• Analysis of studies on specific probiotic strains (e.g., Lactobacillus reuteri, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Streptococcus salivarius).
• Examination of clinical trial data on probiotic efficacy in reducing caries incidence.

Main Results:

• Specific probiotic strains inhibit cariogenic bacteria like Streptococcus mutans through competitive exclusion and antimicrobial production.
• Clinical trials demonstrate reduced Streptococcus mutans counts and caries incidence with probiotic use.
• Probiotics, delivered via lozenges, gums, or dairy, show efficacy in both children and adults.

Conclusions:

• Probiotics represent a safe, non-invasive adjunct to traditional caries prevention.
• Further research is needed to optimize strain selection, delivery, and long-term efficacy.
• Integrating probiotics into oral care can revolutionize caries prevention by promoting a balanced oral microbiome.