Abstract
Background: Probiotics are regarded as a part of the normal human microbiota. Previous studies have suggested that lactobacilli-derived probiotics in dairy products may reduce dental caries. Thus, the search for an effective caries preventing probiotic microorganisms appears to be a promising research avenue.
Objectives: The present study was carried out to investigate the inhibitory effect of feeding functional fermented milks containing five different probiotic strains on salivary mutans streptococci in the oral flora of rats.
Materials and Methodology: Mutans streptococci were used in this study for infection the albino rats were isolated from Saudi child saliva, identified using Biolog system. The infected rats (n=42) were randomly divided according to the type of diet given into 7 groups (n=6). Group T1 received laboratory standard rat ration blended with milk without any probiotic strain. Groups T2, T3, T4, T5 and T6 received laboratory standard rat ration blended with functional fermented milk containing different probiotic strains Lb acidophilus NCTC12980R, Lb plantarum ATCC 14917, Lb. reuteri NCIMB1195, Lb rhamnosus ATCC7469 and Bifi. bifidium NCTC1300R respectively. While, rats received laboratory standard rat ration blended without milk were control group (Group C). Rats were housed up to five weeks where saliva samples were collected from rats' oral cavities at the end of each week to evaluate the inhibitory effect of different probiotics by counting the Mutans streptococci count.
Result: Mutans streptococci count decreased significantly in group T3, T4, T5, and T6 with varying degrees where group T4 showed the statistically significant lowest S. mutans mean count followed by T5 (P-value<0.001). Group C and T1 showed the highest significant mean Mutans streptococci count.
Conclusion and Recommendations: Functional fermented milks containing different Probiotic strains showed an inhibitory effect against Mutans streptococci count with varying degrees. Fermented milk containing Lb. reuteri NCIMB1195 could be one of the best dietary regimens for dental caries prevention.