Probiotics and its insinuation in oral health

Abstract

For some years now, bacteria known as probiotics have been added to various foods because of their beneficial effects in human health. Probiotics are microorganisms, principally bacteria, which confer health benefits beyond basic nutrition when ingested. Probiotics have been studied for their health-promoting effects. The mechanism of action of probiotics is related to their ability to compete with pathogenic microorganisms for adhesion sites, to antagonize these pathogens or to modulate the host′s immune response. The main field of research has been always focused on the gastrointestinal tract. However, recently, probiotics have also been investigated from an oral health perspective, and their use has shown promising results with respect to control of chronic conditions such as dental caries, periodontitis, halitosis and candidal infections, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, and in voice prosthesis. The potential application of probiotics for oral health has recently attracted the attention of researchers. Although only a few clinical studies have been conducted so far. This article summarizes the current status of using probiotics and its insinuation in oral health.