title: Efficacy of Dentaq® Oral and ENT Health Probiotic Complex on Clinical Parameters of Gingivitis in Patients Undergoing Fixed Orthodontic Treatment: A Pilot Study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Probiotics act as a unique approach to maintaining oral health by supplementing the endogenous oral bacteria with additional naturally occurring beneficial microbes to provide defense against pathogens harmful to teeth and gingiva. The aim of this pilot study was to clinically evaluate the effects of probiotics on plaque accumulation and gingival inflammation in subjects with fixed orthodontics.
  
  
  METHODS
  The pilot study was comprised of 15 healthy patients, aged 11 to 18 years, undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment. Patients used an all-natural, dissolving lozenge containing six proprietary probiotic strains (Dentaq® Oral and ENT Health Probiotic Complex)for 28 days. Gingival Index (GI) according to Löe-Silness and Plaque Index (PI) according to Quigley-Hein for all teeth were measured at baseline (Day Zero) and at the end of the probiotic regimen (Day 28).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean baseline GI and PI scores within each patient decreased by 28.4% and 35.8%, respectively, by Day 28. Patients reported decreased tooth and gingival pain, decreased oral bleeding, and increased motivation to maintain proper oral hygiene over the course of the study.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This pilot study provided preliminary support for the use of Dentaq Oral and ENT Health Probiotic Complex as a safe and effective natural health product for the reduction of plaque accumulation and gingival inflammation. The results demonstrate its potential therapeutic value and open the door for larger scale placebo-controlled clinical studies to verify these findings.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthodontics, Dental School, Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Duygu
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kolip
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthodontics, Dental School, Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Nuray
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Yılmaz
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Dental School, Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Berna
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gökkaya
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Dental School, Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Pinar
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kulan
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Dental School, Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Betul
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kargul
authors.affiliation: Canadian Centre for Human Microbiome and Probiotic Research, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Kyle W
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: MacDonald
authors.affiliation: Canadian Centre for Human Microbiome and Probiotic Research, Lawson Health Research Institute, School of Health Sciences, Fanshawe College, London, Ontario, Canada, Departmentof Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Peter A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Cadieux
authors.affiliation: Canadian Centre for Human Microbiome and Probiotic Research, Lawson Health Research Institute, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Western Ontario, Department of Surgery, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Jeremy P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Burton
authors.affiliation: Canadian Centre for Human Microbiome and Probiotic Research, Lawson Health Research Institute, School of Health Sciences, Fanshawe College, London, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Kris M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: James
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D003773:Dental Plaque; D003774:Dental Plaque Index; D005260:Female; D005891:Gingivitis / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010512:Periodontal Index; D010865:Pilot Projects; D019936:Probiotics
keywords: Gingival index; Gingivitis; Orthodontics; Plaque index; Probiotics