Effects of Fermented Lingonberry Juice Mouthwash on Salivary Parameters—A One-Year Prospective Human Intervention Study

In Vitro Eradication of Planktonic, Saliva and Biofilm Bacteria Using Lingonberry Extract as a Photosensitizer for Visible Light Plus Water-Filtered Infrared-A Irradiation

Antimicrobial photodynamic treatment (aPDT) with visible light plus water-filtered infrared-A irradiation (VIS-wIRA) and natural single- or multi-component photosensitizers (PSs) was shown to have potent antimicrobial activity. The aim of this study was to obtain information on the antimicrobial effects of aPDT-VIS-wIRA with lingonberry extract (LE) against bacteria that play a role in oral health. Planktonic bacterial cultures of the Gram-positive E. faecalis T9, S. mutans DSM20523, S. oralis ATCC 35037 and S. sobrinus PSM 203513, the Gram-negative N. oralis 14F2 FG-15-7B, F. nucleatum ATCC 25586, and V. parvula DSM, the anaerobic F. nucleatum ATCC 25586 and V. parvula DSM 2008, and the total mixed bacteria from pooled saliva and supra- and subgingival plaques of volunteers were all treated and compared. aPDT-VIS-wIRA with LE as PS significantly (p < 0.008) reduced the growth of all tested Gram-positive, Gram-negative, as well as aerobic and anaerobic bacterial strains, whereas without irradiation no reductions were seen (p < 0.0001). NaCl, with or without irradiation, was ineffective. After treatment with CHX 0.2%, the highest killing rate (100%) was observed, and no bacteria (0 log10 CFU) were cultivable. The method also significantly reduced all of the bacteria present in saliva and in the gingival biofilms. Three-dimensional visualization of viable and non-viable microorganisms revealed that LE penetrated deeper into the cell wall layers than CHX 0.2%. LE was an appropriate PS for eradicating microorganisms with VIS-wIRA, either in their planktonic form or in saliva and gingival plaque biofilms. These results encourage further investigation in order to determine which LE compounds contribute to the photosensitizing effect and to evaluate the size of the effect on maintaining oral health.

Antimicrobial and Anti-Inflammatory Oral Effects of Fermented Lingonberry Juice-A One-Year Prospective Human Intervention Study

OBJECTIVES

 A 1-year prospective human intervention study was performed to examine the anticaries, anti-inflammatory, antiproteolytic, and antimicrobial effects of fermented lingonberry juice (FLJ), used as a mouthwash for a period of 6 months, followed by a 6-month washout period.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

 Twenty-five adults were recruited from private dental clinics in Helsinki and Joensuu (Finland). Standard oral examinations and sample gatherings were performed at base level, 6 months, and 1 year for oral Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans), Candida, and Lactobacilli levels, and active matrix metalloprotease-8 (aMMP-8) levels, and for decayed, missing, filled teeth (DMFT), decayed, missing filled surfaces (DMFS) and decayed surfaces (DS) indexes, and probing pocket depths (PPDs), bleeding on probing (BOP), and visible plaque index (VPI). FLJ was used by the participants once daily for 30 seconds for 6 months. FLJ contains 0.212% (w/v) polyphenols, 3% (w/ v) sugars, and contains no excipients. Ten milliliters of FLJ were equal to 1 dL of lingonberry juice.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

 Statistical analyses were performed with nonparametric Friedman's test and pairwise post-hoc analysis with Dunn-Bonferroni test, SPSS (version 27; IBM) and p < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant.

RESULTS

 The levels of S. mutans and Candida counts, DS, BOP, and VPI decreased significantly (p < 0.05) during the FLJ period. Lactobacilli counts increased significantly, while there was also significant difference in aMMP-8 levels, DMFT, and DMFS between the three measurement points. PPDs were not affected.

CONCLUSIONS

 The specially formulated FLJ may have a positive decreasing effect on S. mutans, and Candida counts as well as decrease low-grade inflammation and proteolytic burden in the oral mucosa and periodontal tissues. The beneficial effects to the oral cavity of FLJ mouthwash may be useful among patients with oral diseases, such as dental caries, periodontitis and candidosis.

A Review of the Role of Natural Products as Treatment Approaches for Xerostomia

Xerostomia, commonly known as dry mouth, is a widespread oral health malfunction characterized by decreased salivary flow. This condition results in discomfort, impaired speech and mastication, dysphagia, heightened susceptibility to oral infections, and ultimately, a diminished oral health-related quality of life. The etiology of xerostomia is multifaceted, with primary causes encompassing the use of xerostomic medications, radiation therapy to the head and neck, and systemic diseases such as Sjögren's syndrome. Consequently, there is a growing interest in devising management strategies to address this oral health issue, which presents significant challenges due to the intricate nature of saliva. Historically, natural products have served medicinal purposes, and in contemporary pharmaceutical research and development, they continue to play a crucial role, including the treatment of xerostomia. In this context, the present review aims to provide an overview of the current state of knowledge regarding natural compounds and extracts for xerostomia treatment, paving the way for developing novel therapeutic strategies for this common oral health issue.

aMMP-8 point-of-care - diagnostic methods and treatment modalities in periodontitis and peri-implantitis

INTRODUCTION

When collected in a standardized fashion, oral fluid analysis can refine the diagnosis of periodontal and peri-implant disease. In practice, dental professionals can perform active matrix metalloproteinase (aMMP-8) analysis chairside.

AREAS COVERED

Periodontal tissues are mainly made up of type I collagen, and collagen breakdown is one of the main events in periodontal and peri-implantitis destructive lesions. In addition to traditional measurements, their diagnosis can be refined with tests utilizing oral fluids. The active matrix metalloproteinase-8 (aMMP-8) is possible to be determined from the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF), peri-implant sulcus fluid (PISF), and other oral fluids such as mouth rinse and saliva. We also investigated the applicability of aMMP-8 chair-side test kits in the evaluation of oral health benefits of different adjunctive host-modulating periodontal therapies including fermented lingonberry mouthwash (FLJ) and antibacterial photodynamic therapy (aPDT).

EXPERT OPINION

The aMMP-8 levels can more reliably detect early activation of periodontal and peri-implant disease as compared to traditional diagnostic methods that assess the experienced health status or past disease, rather than the present or future pathology. Novel therapies like, fermented lingonberry juice as a mouthrinse or aPDT, are potential host-modulating adjunctive treatments to reduce the signs of oral inflammation and infection.