title: Evaluation of probiotic milk on salivary mutans streptococci count: an in vivo microbiological study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of the present study was to investigate the effect of probiotic Lactobacillus casei Shirota on the values of mutans streptococci counts in saliva.
  
  
  METHODS
  31 children were included in this double blinded study. Study design included 4 periods which consisted of a run in period, two intervention periods and a washout period. During the intervention periods children were either given probiotic milk or control milk for 10 days. Pre and post intervention salivary samples were subjected to microbiological evaluation. Then numbers of mutans streptococci were taken by identifying colony morphology.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A statistically significant reduction of mutans streptococci colony count was noted in the probiotic group (p=.003). The reduction in children with higher levels of mutans streptococci (105) after intervention was 34% in the probiotic group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Daily consumption of milk containing probiotic bacteria can reduce the levels of mutans streptococci and may contribute to the prevention of dental caries.
authors: Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, College Of Dental Sciences, Davangere.
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Yadav
authors: Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, College Of Dental Sciences, Davangere.
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Poornima
authors: Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, College Of Dental Sciences, Davangere.
authors: N M
authors: NM
authors: Roshan
authors: Department of Oral Pathology, Chhattisgarh Dental College and Research Institute.
authors: N
authors: N
authors: Prachi
authors: Department of Microbiology, JJM Medical College, Davangere.
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Veena
authors: Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, College Of Dental Sciences, Davangere.
authors: I E
authors: IE
authors: Neena
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D058491:Bacterial Load / Q000187:drug effects*; D002648:Child; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007780:Lacticaseibacillus casei / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D056265:Microbial Interactions; D008892:Milk; D019936:Probiotics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012463:Saliva / Q000382:microbiology*; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000187:drug effects*
keywords: Lactobacillus casei Shirota; caries; mutans streptococci; school children