The Effect of Probiotics on the Oral Microbiome and Prevention of Dental Caries: A Systematic Review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.64149/J.Ver.8.18s.180-187Keywords:
Probiotics; Oral microbiome; Dental caries prevention; Streptococcus mutans; Lactobacillus rhamnosus; Lactobacillus reuteri; Streptococcus salivarius; Randomized controlled trials; Ecological plaque hypothesis; Pediatric dentistryAbstract
Background: Dental caries remains a global public health challenge, driven by microbial dysbiosis within the oral cavity. Probiotics have emerged as a potential preventive strategy by restoring ecological balance, but their clinical effectiveness remains uncertain.
Objective: To systematically review the evidence on the effects of probiotics on the oral microbiome and their role in the prevention of dental caries.
Methods: Following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, a comprehensive search was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. Eligible studies included randomized controlled trials, cohort studies, and systematic reviews investigating probiotic interventions in human populations with dental caries outcomes. Data extraction focused on strain specificity, delivery methods, microbiological changes, and caries incidence or progression.
Results: Ten randomized controlled trials and multiple systematic reviews were included. Probiotic strains such as Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, Lactobacillus reuteri, Lactobacillus paracasei SD1, and Streptococcus salivarius M18 demonstrated significant reductions in salivary Streptococcus mutans, increased microbial diversity, and decreased caries incidence in several studies. Some trials reported regression of early lesions. However, results varied, with certain interventions showing no significant effect, particularly in long-term follow-ups. Systematic reviews highlighted heterogeneity in methodology, strain selection, and intervention design as key barriers to definitive conclusions.
Conclusion: Probiotics represent a safe, biologically plausible adjunct for caries prevention, capable of modulating the oral microbiome and reducing caries risk. Their effectiveness is strain-specific and influenced by delivery methods, dosage, and population characteristics. High-quality, long-term clinical trials are needed to confirm their role in preventive dentistry.
