Comparative Clinical and Microbiological Study of Probiotic Strain Lactobacillus on the Count of Streptococcus Mutans in Saliva.

Introduction: The concept of microbial ecological changes and probiotic ap-proaches is a promising concept for preventing dental disease and decreasing of oral cavity pathogens . Aim : to evaluate the effect of probiotic strain Lactobacillus on the count of Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus in saliva and the plaque formation rate. Materials and methods: This randomized clinical trial included 30 normal apparently healthy and cooperative children aged 6 to 11 years and selected from the Outpatient Dental Clinic of Pediatric dentistry Department, Faculty of Dentistry, Suez Canal University. Children were randomly divided into 2 groups as follows: Group I : included (15) children who brushed their teeth two times a day with fluoro toothpastes and Group II : included (15) children who instructed to take Periobalance G.U.M lozenges once daily at the evening immediately following brushing and floss-ing for 60 days. Clinical evaluation was performed by measuring plaque indices scores at all evaluation periods. Microbiological evaluation was performed by direct examination of bacterial cultures. Results: Probiotics showed a significant reduction in the mean Streptococcus mutans counts and increase the count levels of Lactobacilli but did not show a significant difference increase. There was decrease in the plaque index, with the lowest value after 60 days in both groups. Conclusion: Probiotic is a promising concept of preventing dental diseases. Until the mo-ment in clinical practice, dental caries is treated symptomatically although intensive focus on preventive strategies took place in many studies. These preventive measures either change or modify the factors associated with caries which include dietary, host, salivary and bacterial factors