title: Effect of Probiotic Containing Ice-cream on Salivary Mutans Streptococci (SMS) Levels in Children of 6-12 Years of Age: A Randomized Controlled Double Blind Study with Six-months Follow Up.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  To evaluate the caries risk based on the salivary levels of streptococcus mutans in children of 6-12 years of age group before and after consuming probiotic ice-cream containing Bifidobacterium lactis Bb-12 and Lactobacillus acidophilus La-5.
  
  
  METHODS
  A double blind, placebo controlled trial was carried out in 60 children aged between 6 to 12 years with zero decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT). They were randomly divided into two equal groups. Saliva sample were collected before the consumption of ice-cream and Streptococcus mutans count was calculated and recorded as baseline data. For the next seven days both the groups were given ice creams marked as A and B. Saliva samples were collected after ice-cream consumption at the end of study period and also after a washout period of 30 days and again after six months. Samples were inoculated and colonies were counted.
  
  
  RESULTS
  On statistical evaluation by students paired t-test, probiotic ice-cream brought significant reduction in the Streptococcus mutans count after seven days of ice-cream ingestion (p<0.001) and also after 30 d of washout period (p<0.001). There was no significant reduction (p=0.076) by normal ice-cream consumption. After six months of the study period in both the groups the salivary levels of Streptococcus mutans was similar to the baseline.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Probiotic ice-cream containing Bifidobacterium lactis Bb-12 and Lactobacillus acidophilus La-5 can cause reduction in caries causative organism. The dosage of the probiotic organisms for the long term or synergetic effect on the oral health are still needed to be explored.
authors: Senior Lecturer, Department of Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry, Kannur Dental College , Anjarakandy, Kannur, Kerala, India .
authors: Devasya
authors: D
authors: Ashwin
authors: Professor & Head, Department of Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry, Navodaya Dental College , Raichur, Karnataka, India .
authors: Vijayaprasad
authors: V
authors: Ke
authors: Professor, Department of Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry, Navodaya Dental College , Raichur, Karnataka State, India .
authors: Mahanthesh
authors: M
authors: Taranath
authors: Reader, Department of Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry, Navodaya Dental College , Raichur, Karnataka State, India .
authors: Naveen Kumar
authors: NK
authors: Ramagoni
authors: Reader, PMNM Dental College & Hospital , Bagalkot, Karnataka, India .
authors: Asha
authors: A
authors: Nara
authors: Senior Lecturer, Department Periodontics, Kannur Dental College , Anjarakandy, Kannur, Kerala, India .
authors: Mythri
authors: M
authors: Sarpangala
keywords: Ice-cream; Mitis salivarius agar; Probiotics; Saliva; Streptococcus mutans