References

Hasslöf P, West CE, Videhult FK, Brandelius C, Stecksén-Blicks C Early intervention with probiotic Lactobacillus paracasei F19 has no long-term effect on caries experience. Caries Res. 2013; 47:559-565

Abstract

From Volume 41, Issue 5, June 2014 | Page 430

Authors

Anne Morgan

Locum Consultant in Paediatric Dentistry Charles Clifford Dental Hospital

Articles by Anne Morgan

Abstract

Probiotic are live micro-organisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit. It has been suggested that the ingestion of probiotics could also be beneficial to oral health. This study demonstrated that daily dietary supplementation with Lactobacillus paracasei F19 between 4 to 13-months-old had no effect on caries experience at 3, 6 or 9-years-old.

Article

It has been suggested that the ingestion of probiotic lactobacilli supplements could decrease levels of mutans streptococci. Previous studies have found that oral colonization of probiotic lactobacilli occurs only transiently with use, although it has been hypothesized that, if the probiotics are introduced earlier in life, rather than when the microbiota is established, it may prevent or delay mutans streptococci colonization. The aim of this investigation was to determine the long-term effects of a cereal supplemented with Lactobacillus paracasei F19 (LF19) given to infants during weaning on caries experience when the children were 3, 6 and 9-years-old. This study was a nine-year follow-up to a double-blind randomized controlled trial carried out in Sweden from 2000 to 2003. In the original trial, participants (n=179) were randomized to have a daily intake of cereal from 4 to 13-months-old, which in the intervention group was supplemented with LF19. In total, 56 children from the probiotic group and 62 children from the placebo group participated in the follow-up study. Caries diagnosis at 9-years-old was based on a clinical and radiographic assessment, although at 3 and 6-years-old caries experience was determined retrospectively from public health dental records. The study population had an overall low caries incidence. The key findings were that there was no statistically significant difference (p>0.05) in caries experience at 3, 6 or 9-years-old between the probiotic and the control group. Additionally, there were no differences in the levels of mutans streptococci or lactobacilli between the two groups, and LF19 could not be detected in the saliva of participants, suggesting that colonization is not permanent.