Probiotics to prevent tooth decay

Abstract

Dental decay is a chronic degenerative infection with a multifactorial aetiology. Oral health education begins in the prenatal period with advice from the gynaecologist and the dentist. Use of fluorine, which can be administered in a variety of ways, is one of the main methods to prevent tooth decay. However, although it has proven protective effects, its administration is not always optimal, likely due to poor scientific knowledge and fear of dental fluorosis. Can the nutraceutical sciences can offer something different? Or something more? Overgrowth and disequilibrium of pathogenic microorganism species in the oral cavity can manifest as a variety of different oral diseases, including dental caries. Streptococcus salivarius strain M18 is a bacterial strain with clinically significant probiotic applications for curtailing this pathogenic bacterial growth.