Probiotics and Oral Health: Harnessing Good Bacteria for a Healthier Smile- A scoping review

Probiotics in Oral Health

Abstract

Background: Dental caries, periodontal disease, and halitosis are widespread illnesses that afflict millions of people worldwide, and they have a substantial influence on general well-being. Probiotic usage provides a viable alternative to traditional therapies, which frequently concentrate on eliminating harmful bacteria by fostering a healthy oral microbiome. Objective: Probiotics have a part in oral health, and this reviw assesses how they might influence microbial populations and host responses to prevent and treat oral illnesses. Methods: A thorough search of the literature was carried out, concentrating on studies. Probiotics, oral health, dental caries, periodontal disease, and halitosis were among the keywords. A thorough assessment of the effectiveness of probiotics was provided by including both clinical trials and in vitro investigations. Results: Several probiotic strains were shown to be very beneficial in lowering cariogenic bacteria, enhancing periodontal health, and decreasing halitosis. These strains included Lactobacillus reuteri, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, and Bifidobacterium bifidum. Reduced levels of volatile sulfur compounds linked to foul breath, gingival inflammation, and plaque indices were seen in clinical studies. Probiotics have been shown to impede harmful microorganisms by means of generation of antimicrobial peptides, competitive exclusion, and modification of the host immunological response. Even with these encouraging results, developing consistent recommendations proved difficult due to variations in probiotic formulations, dose schedules, and research designs. Conclusion: There is strong evidence to support the use of probiotics as a feasible complement or alternative to traditional oral health therapies in improving the balance of the oral microbiome and lowering the incidence of illness. To maximize therapeutic results, more study is necessary to standardize probiotic strains, doses, and therapy regimens. Future research should concentrate on developing regulatory frameworks to guarantee probiotic efficacy and quality as well as long-term safety.