A probiotic lozenge administered medical device and its effect on salivary mutans streptococci and lactobacilli

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have suggested that lactobacilli-derived probiotics in dairy products may affect oral ecology, but the effects of different delivery methods have received little attention. AIM: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of the probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri, delivered by a new medical device, on the levels of salivary mutans streptococci and lactobacilli in young women with high Streptococcus mutans counts. DESIGN: This is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study involving 20 healthy young women (aged 20 years): 10 as subjects and 10 as controls. The study subjects (Group A) sucked the medical device containing the probiotic lozenge with L. reuteri ATCC 55730/L. reuteri ATCC PTA 5289 (1.1 x 10(8) CFU) once daily for 10 days, while the control subjects (Group B) received placebo medical devices without bacteria. Salivary mutans streptococci and lactobacilli were enumerated with chair-side kits at baseline and 1 day after the final ingestion. RESULTS: Salivary S. mutans levels in the probiotic test group were significantly reduced, with statistical significance of reduction (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: A short-term daily ingestion of lactobacilli-derived probiotics delivered via medical device containing probiotic lozenge reduced the levels of salivary mutans.