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BERLIN, Germany: New research has suggested that caries bacteria could be reduced through the consumption of candies supplemented with certain lactic acid bacteria. In a recently published study, a research team found that candies containingLactobacillus paracasei significantly lowered salivary levels of Streptococcus mutans, which is considered the predominant caries-inducing bacterium.
In the study, which was conducted at a single centre in Berlin, Germany, 60 participants received either sugar-free candies containing L. paracasei or placebo candies, which had to be consumed four times after each meal over 1.5 consecutive days. Throughout the experiment, participants were asked not to perform any oral hygiene activities or consume coffee, tea, wine or probiotic foods such as yoghurt or cheese.
The researchers observed that the test group immediately had significantly reduced levels of salivary mutans streptococci compared with the placebo group. In addition, the sugar-free candies stimulated saliva flow, which also contributed to improved oral health.
Therefore, L. paracasei has the potential to offer a method for selective reduction in caries bacteria, thereby positively influencing the oral microbiota, without adding new or additional risk factors, the researchers concluded.
Alongside periodontal diseases, dental caries has been considered the most important global oral health burden. Although its distribution and severity varies among different parts of the world, dental caries affects an estimated 60 to 90 per cent of schoolchildren and the vast majority of adults worldwide, according to the World Health Organization.
The study, titled “Lactobacillus paracasei DSMZ16671 reduces mutans streptococci: a short-term pilot study”, was published online on 8 September in the Probiotics and Antimicrobial Proteinsjournal ahead of print. It was conducted by ORGANOBALANCE, a biotechnology company based in Berlin that possesses about 8,000 bacterial strains. The company also found effective bacterial strains that help reduce bacteria associated with stomach ulcers and other diseases.
