Figure 1: Probiotics are being used to help maintain oral health
Source: Deposit Photos (LINK)
There is a new research project done on how a specific type of lactic acid bacteria medication affects oral health and the presence of other kinds of harmful bacteria. The research was done in B dental clinic on control and experimental groups of the elderly and showed results that could benefit their health significantly. There are specific types of bacteria that harm oral health, but this new probiotic medication can help fight against them.
To understand the importance of probiotics, it is important to be aware of other medications, such as antibiotics. Antibiotics are antimicrobial substances active against bacteria. They are used to prevent infections by killing or inhibiting the growth of harmful bacteria that is harming the body. However, the creation of antibiotics led to several problems that are even more dangerous than the bacteria itself. The first problem is that antibiotics are designed to kill all forms of bacteria. This means that even good forms of bacteria, such as those that help support our digestive system, die. This can lead to severe health issues. Another problem is that antibiotics increase the strength and resistance of harmful bacteria if the antibiotics are not continually used. The bacteria would pass down and replicate genes that have resistance to that specific antibiotic. This is why probiotics are an important and potential solution to bacterial infections. Probiotics are live microorganisms or yeast that provide health benefits to the client who consumes them. It is able to do this by competing with the harmful bacteria and restoring the balance of the variety of bacteria that should be present within that specific body part.
Periodontitis is a severe gum infection that damages the soft tissue and can later destroy the bone that supports your teeth. Research from the National Health Of Library found that one of the bacteria that was prominent in areas of this infection was the Porphyromonas gingivalis. Using this information, researchers have sought to test how Lactobacillus reuteri, a specific type of lactic acid bacteria, would benefit oral health and its ability to prevent gum infections. Lactobacillus reuteri is known for assisting in digestion and bacterial stability within the gastrointestinal tract systems.
Recently, several research papers have been coming to the same conclusion that Lactobacillus retueri is not only beneficial in digestion and intestinal health, but also in oral health as well. Several sources, such as those from the National Health Of Library, point to how among adults, giving Lactobacillus reuteri in form of pills has been able to reduce the number of P. gingivalis, and significantly reduce the chances of getting gum infections. After 8 weeks of daily consuming a pill of L. reuteri before each night, the experimental group had a significant improvement in oral health, compared to the control group who were not given anything.
If further studies continue to confirm the benefits of consuming L. reuteri in reducing P. gingivalis, it may become an effective way to prevent infections. In addition, there is further research stating that P. gingivalis may be also involved in the acceleration of Alzheimer’s disease in elderly patients. If further research on L. reuteri is done, it could potentially help in preventing these neurodegenerative diseases as well.
Work Cited
“Periodontitis.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 14 Feb. 2020, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/periodontitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20354473#:~:text=Periodontitis%20.
Mu Q, Tavella VJ, Luo XM. Role of Lactobacillus reuteri in Human Health and Diseases. Front Microbiol. 2018 Apr 19;9:757. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.00757. PMID: 29725324; PMCID: PMC5917019.
Romani Vestman N, Chen T, Lif Holgerson P, Öhman C, Johansson I. Oral Microbiota Shift after 12-Week Supplementation with Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 and PTA 5289; A Randomized Control Trial. PLoS One. 2015 May 6;10(5):e0125812. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0125812. PMID: 25946126; PMCID: PMC4422650.
Seidel CL, Gerlach RG, Weider M, Wölfel T, Schwarz V, Ströbel A, Schmetzer H, Bogdan C, Gölz L. Influence of probiotics on the periodontium, the oral microbiota and the immune response during orthodontic treatment in adolescent and adult patients (ProMB Trial): study protocol for a prospective, double-blind, controlled, randomized clinical trial. BMC Oral Health. 2022 Apr 27;22(1):148. doi: 10.1186/s12903-022-02180-8. PMID: 35477563; PMCID: PMC9044659.
Olsen I. Porphyromonas Gingivalis May Seek the Alzheimer's Disease Brain to Acquire Iron from Its Surplus. J Alzheimers Dis Rep. 2021 Jan 20;5(1):79-86. doi: 10.3233/ADR-200272. PMID: 33681719; PMCID: PMC7903007.
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