Probiotics in dentistry Dr. Bhargava Rangoli, Assistant Professor, Dr. Bhargava Rahul*, Assistant Professor, Dr. Ranjan Vikash, Assistant Professor Department of Oral Medicine & Radiology, Darshan Dental College & Hospital, Udaipur *Department of Conservative Dentistry & Endodontics, Darshan Dental College & Hospital, Udaipur Address for Correspondence: Dr. Vikash Ranjan, Assistant Professor, Department Of Oral Medicine & Radiology, Darshan Dental College & Hospital, Udaipur. E mail:- drvikashomdr@rediffmail.com, Mobile no.:- 09784719757
Online published on 6 March, 2013. Abstract Probiotics have been extensively studied for their health promoting effects. The main field of research has been in the gastrointestinal tract. However, in the past few years probiotics have also been investigated in the oral health perspective, which is the topic of the present review. We discuss the mechanisms of bacterial adhesion, potential of probiotics in oral cavity colonization, interspecies interactions, and possible effects on immunomodulation, and means of probiotic administration. We suggest that probiotic treatment of diseases other than dental caries and periodontal disease should also be systematically investigated. Hence, much more investigations are called for before any evidence-based conclusions can be drawn: if or not probiotic therapy can be recommended for oral health purposes. Top Keywords Probiotics, Lactobacilli, Oral health, Candida. Top |