title: Impact of orally administered lozenges with Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB-12 on the number of salivary mutans streptococci, amount of plaque, gingival inflammation and the oral microbiome in healthy adults.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim was to evaluate the effects of orally administered Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB-12 (BB-12) on the number of salivary mutans streptococci (MS), amount of plaque, gingival inflammation and the oral microbiota in healthy young adults.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was a randomised, controlled, double-blind trial. Healthy volunteers used lozenges containing a combination of LGG and BB-12 (test group, n = 29) or lozenges without added probiotics (control group, n = 31) for 4 weeks. At baseline and at the end of the test period, the plaque index (PI) and gingival index (GI) were determined, and stimulated saliva was collected. The microbial composition of saliva was assessed using human oral microbe identification microarray (n = 30). MS and lactobacilli (LB) were plate cultured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The probiotic lozenge decreased both PI and GI (p < 0.05) while no changes were observed in the control group. However, no probiotic-induced changes were found in the microbial compositions of saliva in either group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The probiotic lozenge improved the periodontal status without affecting the oral microbiota.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Short-term consumption of LGG and BB-12 decreased the amount of plaque which was associated with a clinical impact: a decrease in gingival inflammation.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Dentistry, University of Turku, Lemminkäisenkatu 2, 20520, Turku, Finland.
authors.forename: Aino
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Toiviainen
authors.forename: Heli
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Jalasvuori
authors.forename: Emilia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lahti
authors.forename: Ulvi
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Gursoy
authors.forename: Seppo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Salminen
authors.forename: Margherita
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fontana
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Flannagan
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Eckert
authors.forename: Alexis
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kokaras
authors.forename: Bruce
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Paster
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Söderling
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000069982:Bifidobacterium animalis; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000382:microbiology*; D003774:Dental Plaque Index; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005891:Gingivitis / Q000382:microbiology*; D064368:Healthy Volunteers; D006801:Humans; D052201:Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus; D008297:Male; D064307:Microbiota / Q000187:drug effects*; D019936:Probiotics / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D012463:Saliva / Q000382:microbiology*; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000187:drug effects*; D055815:Young Adult