Salivary mutans streptococci and lactobacilli modulations in young children on consumption of probiotic ice-cream containing Bifidobacterium lactis Bb12 and Lactobacillus acidophilus La5

Abstract

Objectives. To compare the levels of mutans streptococci and lactobacilli in saliva of school children, before and after consumption of probiotic and control ice-cream. Materials and methods. A double-blind, cross-over, placebo-controlled trial was carried out in forty, 12–14 year-old children, with no clinically detectable caries. The selected children were randomized equally into two groups I and II. Following an initial run-in period of 1 week, children in group I and II were given ice-creams ‘A’ and ‘B’, respectively, for 10 days. Being a cross-over study, the ice-creams were interchanged in the two groups after a 2-week wash-out period. Saliva samples at baseline and follow-up were assessed using Dentocult SM and Dentocult LB kits. Results. On statistical evaluation, it was seen that probiotic ice-cream brought about a statistically significant reduction (p-value = 0.003) in salivary mutans streptococci levels with no significant effect on lactobacilli levels. Conclusion. In conclusion, probiotic ice-cream containing Bifidobacterium lactis Bb-12 ATCC27536 and Lactobacillus acidophilus La-5 can reduce the levels of certain caries-associated micro-organisms in saliva.

Key Words::

• probiotics
• caries prevention
• bacteria

Acknowledgements

The authors express their sincere thanks to Orion Diagnostica, Finland for providing Dentocult SM and Dentocult LB test kits. We sincerely acknowledge Mr. Sandeep Saxena of Colgate Palmolive (India) Pvt. Ltd and Chris Hansen (India) Pvt. Ltd. for their generous support. We would also like to thank Dr S. K. Bhalla and Mr. Surinder Sharma of Amul India Pvt. Ltd for their extended co-operation.

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.