title: Salivary mutans streptococci and lactobacilli modulations in young children on consumption of probiotic ice-cream containing Bifidobacterium lactis Bb12 and Lactobacillus acidophilus La5.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the levels of mutans streptococci and lactobacilli in saliva of school children, before and after consumption of probiotic and control ice-cream.
  
  
  METHODS
  A double-blind, cross-over, placebo-controlled trial was carried out in forty, 12-14 year-old children, with no clinically detectable caries. The selected children were randomized equally into two groups I and II. Following an initial run-in period of 1 week, children in group I and II were given ice-creams 'A' and 'B', respectively, for 10 days. Being a cross-over study, the ice-creams were interchanged in the two groups after a 2-week wash-out period. Saliva samples at baseline and follow-up were assessed using Dentocult SM and Dentocult LB kits.
  
  
  RESULTS
  On statistical evaluation, it was seen that probiotic ice-cream brought about a statistically significant reduction (p-value = 0.003) in salivary mutans streptococci levels with no significant effect on lactobacilli levels.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In conclusion, probiotic ice-cream containing Bifidobacterium lactis Bb-12 ATCC27536 and Lactobacillus acidophilus La-5 can reduce the levels of certain caries-associated micro-organisms in saliva.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pedodontics & Preventive Dentistry, Dr HS Judge Institute of Dental Sciences and Hospital, Chandigarh & Ex-resident M.M. College of Dental Sciences and Research, Mullana, India. dr.polka@gmail.com
authors.forename: Richa Polka
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: Satyawan Gangaram
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Damle
authors.forename: Amrita
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chawla
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D058491:Bacterial Load; D001644:Bifidobacterium; D002648:Child; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000382:microbiology; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007054:Ice Cream / Q000382:microbiology; D007778:Lactobacillus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D007779:Lactobacillus acidophilus; D008297:Male; D010919:Placebos; D019936:Probiotics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic; D012463:Saliva / Q000382:microbiology*; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000302:isolation & purification*
chemical_list: D010919:Placebos; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic