title: Comparative Study of Probiotic Ice Cream and Probiotic Drink on Salivary Streptococcus mutans Levels in 6-12 Years Age Group Children.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Dental caries is one of the most common health problems in the world. Probiotics are one the various preventive methods to reduce dental caries. The aim of this study is to compare the effectiveness of probiotic ice cream and drink on salivary Streptococcus mutans levels in children of 6-12 years age group.
  
  
  METHODS
  A three phase study was carried out in children (n = 50) of 6-12 years age with zero decayed missing filled teeth (dmft)/DMFT. They were randomly divided into two equal groups. Saliva samples were collected before the consumptions of probiotic ice cream and probiotic drink. Colony count obtained was recorded as baseline data. For both groups probiotic ice cream and drink was given randomly for 7 days and a washout period of 90 days were given and then the saliva samples were collected and colony counting was done.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Statistical analysis was performed using Student's paired t-test and multiple comparisons by Tukey's honest significant difference test which showed, there is a significant reduction in salivary S. mutans level in both groups after 7 days period. However, after washout period only probiotic ice cream showed reduction whereas drink did not. Also, there was no significant difference between probiotic ice cream and drink.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Probiotic organisms definitely have a role in reducing the salivary S. mutans level and ice cream would be a better choice than drink. However, the prolonged use of the agents and their effects on caries is still to be determined.
authors.affiliation: Professor & Head, Department of Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry, Navodaya Dental College & Hospital, Raichur, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Taranatha
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mahantesha
authors.affiliation: Senior Lecturer, Department of Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry, Navodaya Dental College, Raichur, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: K M Parveen
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Reddy
authors.affiliation: Senior Lecturer, Department of Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry, Navodaya Dental College, Raichur, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: N H Praveen
authors.initials: NH
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.affiliation: Reader, Department of Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry, PMNM Dental College, Bagalkot, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Asha
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nara
authors.affiliation: Senior Lecturer, Department of Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry, Kannur Dental College & Hospital, Anjarakandy, Kannur, Kerala, India.
authors.forename: Devasya
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ashwin
authors.affiliation: Reader, Department of Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry, GSL Dental College, Lakshmi Puram, Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Vinutna
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Buddiga
keywords: Dental caries; Lactobacillus casei shirota; Streptococcus mutans; probiotics; saliva