Investigation and comparison of the effects of two probiotic bacteria, and in reducing mutans streptococci levels in the saliva of children

Anti-caries Streptococcus spp.: A potential preventive tool for special needs patients

INTRODUCTION

Probiotics are living microorganisms that act on the host-microbiome interface to restore the microbiota's physiological homeostasis. Numerous probiotics have been marketed with inhibitory activity against Streptococcus mutans and consequently with a potential anti-caries effect, mainly of the genera Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, whose main disadvantage is their limited ability to settle in the oral cavity.

METHODS

This narrative review describes the main Streptococcus spp. with probiotic anti-Streptococcus mutans activity, whose substantivity is greater than that of Lactobacillus spp. and consequently with anti-caries potentiality. We performed a literature review in the PubMed, Science Direct and Google Scholar databases of articles published in English (without time restriction) related to caries and probiotics.

RESULTS

The potential identified anti-caries probiotics included Streptococcus spp. A12, Streptococcus oralis (AJ3), Streptococcus oligofermentans, Streptococcus salivarius (K12, M18, JH, LAB813, 24SMB), Streptococcus spp. with arginolytic activity (S. sanguinis, S. gordonii, S. ratti, S. parasanguinis, S. intermedius, S. australis, and S. cristatus), Streptococcus rattus (JH145), Streptococcus dentisani and Streptococcus downii.

CONCLUSIONS

The possibility of using these Streptococcus spp. as probiotics that inhibit the growth of dental plaque and the development of carious lesions represents a potential tool of particular interest for individuals with physical or intellectual disabilities that impede the routine and effective application of mechanical dental plaque removal techniques.

The Anti-Inflammatory and Curative Exponent of Probiotics: A Comprehensive and Authentic Ingredient for the Sustained Functioning of Major Human Organs

Several billion microorganisms reside in the gastrointestinal lumen, including viruses, bacteria, fungi, and yeast. Among them, probiotics were primarily used to cure digestive disorders such as intestinal infections and diarrhea; however, with a paradigm shift towards alleviating health through food, their importance is large. Moreover, recent studies have changed the perspective that probiotics prevent numerous ailments in the major organs. Probiotics primarily produce biologically active compounds targeting discommodious pathogens. This review demonstrates the implications of using probiotics from different genres to prevent and alleviate ailments in the primary human organs. The findings reveal that probiotics immediately activate anti-inflammatory mechanisms by producing anti-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-4, IL-10, IL-11, and IL-13, and hindering pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1, IL-6, and TNF-α by involving regulatory T cells (Tregs) and T helper cells (Th cells). Several strains of Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus reuteri, Bifidobacterium longum, and Bifidobacterium breve have been listed among the probiotics that are excellent in alleviating various simple to complex ailments. Therefore, the importance of probiotics necessitates robust research to unveil the implications of probiotics, including the potency of strains, the optimal dosages, the combination of probiotics, their habitat in the host, the host response, and other pertinent factors.