title: Evaluation of Lactobacillus and Streptococcus mutans by Addition of Probiotics in the form of Curd in the Diet.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Probiotics are defined as live microorganisms which when taken in adequate amounts provide a health benefit on the host. They have been used to improve gastrointestinal health, and their popularity has prompted increased interest for their role in the promotion of oral health also. The study was undertaken to evaluate the influence of diet alteration on oral microflora with the addition of probiotics in the form of curd in the diet.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sample pool included total 20 children, 15 in experimental group; who were given curd containing probiotic bacteria in their diet daily and 5 children in control group; who were contradicted of food containing probiotics. All the children were followed for over a period of 1-year. A pre and post quantitative analysis of Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacilli were done in the saliva of both active and control groups, and caries score was recorded.
  
  
  METHODS
  The data thus compiled were statistically evaluated using Chi-square test and Pearson correlation on SPSS software version 14.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In experimental group, 87% children showed decrease and 7% showed increase in S. mutans count (P = 0.83), whereas 67% showed increase and 7% decrease in Lactobacilli count (P = 0.002) after 1-year of follow-up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Probiotics are upcoming as an intriguing field in oral health. Efforts should be made to increase the knowledge of the general dental practitioners with this facet of oral disease therapy and promote the implementation of the concept of "food rather than medicine."
authors.affiliation: Senior Lecturer, Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, Maharaja Ganga Singh Dental College and Research Centre, Sriganganagar, Rajasthan, India.
authors.forename: Gagandeep Kaur
authors.initials: GK
authors.lastname: Sidhu
authors.affiliation: Senior lecturer, Department of Pedodontics, Chhattisgarh Dental College & Research Institute, Rajnandgaon, Chhattisgarh, India.
authors.forename: Somasundar
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mantha
authors.affiliation: Reader, Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, S.B. Patil Dental College, Bidar, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Surekha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Murthi
authors.affiliation: Professor, Department of Conservative & Endodontics, Azamgarh Dental College, Azamgarh, India.
authors.forename: Himagiri
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sura
authors.affiliation: Private practitioner, Department of Dental surgeon, Mamata Dental College and Hospital, Khammam, Andhra Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Pravallika
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kadaru
authors.affiliation: Senior lecturer, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Teerthankar Mahaveer Dental College and Hospital, Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Jogender Kumar
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Jangra
keywords: Curd; Lactobacilli; Streptococcus mutans; microorganisms; oral and gastrointestinal health; probiotics