title: Lactobacillus paracaseiDSMZ16671 Reduces Mutans Streptococci: A Short-Term Pilot Study.
abstract: Reducing the burden of pathogenic mutans streptococci is a goal of oral health.Lactobacillus paracaseiDSMZ16671, even after heat-killing, specifically co-aggregates mutans streptococci in vitro and retains this activity in human saliva. In rats, it reduces mutans streptococcal colonization of teeth and caries scores. This pilot study sought to assess the potential of heat-killedL. paracaseiDSMZ16671 (pro-t-action®) to reduce levels of salivary mutans streptococci in humans, using sugar-free candies as a delivery vehicle. A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind in vivo study of three groups examined the short-term effect of sugar-free candies containing 0 (placebo), 1, or 2 mg/candy piece of heat-killedL. paracaseiDSMZ16671 on the levels of salivary mutans streptococci determined before and after consumption of the candies. The candies were consumed 4 times during 1.5 consecutive days. Compared to the placebo group, the test groups' saliva had significantly reduced mutans streptococci as an immediate effect. These results suggest the use of heat-killedL. paracaseiDSMZ16671 in suckable candies as a method to reduce mutans streptococci in the mouth and, thereby, caries risk. We think this a new concept and strategy for caries prevention and management.
authors.affiliation: ORGANOBALANCE GmbH, Gustav-Meyer-Allee 25, 13355 Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Caterina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Holz
authors.forename: Christiane
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Alexander
authors.forename: Christina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Balcke
authors.forename: Margret
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Moré
authors.forename: Annegret
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Auinger
authors.forename: Maren
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bauer
authors.forename: Lauren
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Junker
authors.forename: Jörg
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Grünwald
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lang
authors.forename: Markus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pompejus
keywords: Co-aggregation; Dental caries; Humans; Lactobacillus pro-t-action; Saliva; Sugar-free candy