A comparative evaluation of probiotic formulations in prevention of dental caries: A clinical study

Caries is a multifactorial disease, microbes being an important etiological factor. "Probiotics" are nonpathogenic microbes which can stimulate health-promoting flora and suppress pathogens. It's the era of prevention, clinical approach toward prevention by altering bacterial ecology is the need of the hour. The aim of the study was to evaluate anticariogenic effect of probiotic curd (Amul's Probiotic Dahi) containing Lactobacillus acidophilus (La5) and Bifidobacterium lactis (Bb12) in 6-12 years of age group.This was a prospective, randomized, nonblinded study conducted on school children aged between 6 and 12 years having Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth and/or deft ≥2. Selected subjects were divided into two groups of 31 each, study group received probiotic curd ("Amul's Probiotic Dahi") two times a day in a quantity of 100 g, respectively, for 21 days and control group did not receive any intervention. Salivary Streptococcus mutans count and salivary pH estimation were done at the baseline, after 7 days and at the end after 24 days, for comparison.No statistical difference was seen in salivary S. mutans count between both groups, after intervention of 7 days. However, there was significant difference in salivary S. mutans count at the end of 24 days. There was no statistical difference in salivary pH between both groups.The present study concludes that probiotics substitute decreases salivary S. mutans count after continuous consumption for 3 weeks and there is no short-term effect on salivary pH.