title: Clinical effects of probiotics containing Bacillus species on gingivitis: a pilot randomized controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Lactobacillus spp. and bifidobacteria are the most frequently used probiotics in oral health research. However, although probiotic effects have been suggested for other genera, such as bacilli, no trials are available to describe the effect of bacilli probiotics on gingivitis in humans. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the clinical effects of a bacilli-containing toothpaste, a mouthrinse and a toothbrush cleaner versus a placebo in patients with generalized gingivitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this double-blind placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial, nonsmoking, systemically healthy patients with generalized gingivitis were included. They used a placebo or an experimental probiotic Bacillus subtilis-, Bacillus megaterium- and Bacillus pumulus-containing toothpaste, mouthrinse and toothbrush cleaner for 8 wk. Primary outcome measures of interest were plaque and gingivitis index, and the secondary outcome measures were pocket probing depth and bleeding on probing.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty male and 20 female patients were randomized over the two groups. All participants could be included in the final analysis. Although plaque and gingivitis indices were significantly reduced after 8 wk, no intergroup differences could be found at any time point. Also, for the secondary outcome measure, intragroup but no intergroup differences could be detected. No harm or unintended effects were reported by the patients after using the study products.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study did not show any statistically significant differences between a placebo and a bacilli-containing toothpaste, mouthrinse and toothbrush cleaner on gingivitis parameters.
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontology, Faculty of Dentistry, Cukurova Univerisity, Adana, Turkey.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Alkaya
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Health Sciences, KU Leuven & Dentistry, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: I
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9662-8238
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Laleman
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontology, Faculty of Dentistry, Cukurova Univerisity, Adana, Turkey.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Keceli
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontology, Faculty of Dentistry, Cukurova Univerisity, Adana, Turkey.
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Ozcelik
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontology, Faculty of Dentistry, Cukurova Univerisity, Adana, Turkey.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cenk Haytac
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Health Sciences, KU Leuven & Dentistry, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Teughels
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001410:Bacillus megaterium; D000069979:Bacillus pumilus; D001412:Bacillus subtilis; D003774:Dental Plaque Index; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005888:Gingival Pocket / Q000628:therapy; D005891:Gingivitis / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010512:Periodontal Index; D010865:Pilot Projects; D019936:Probiotics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: 
  Bacillus
  ; gingivitis; oral hygiene; probiotics