Original scientific paper
Recent Achievements in Preventive Dentistry by Introducing a New Probiotic Toothpaste
Martina Majstorović
; University of Zagreb, School of Dental Medicine, Department of Paediatric Dentistry, Zagreb, Croatia
Dubravka Negovetić Vranić
; University of Zagreb, School of Dental Medicine, Department of Paediatric Dentistry, Zagreb, Croatia
Lajoš Szirovicza
; Institute for Anthropological Research, Zagreb, Croatia
Abstract
Artificially synthesized probiotic from Lactobacillus strain, contained in the tested toothpaste, led to an innovative ap- proach in preventive dentistry. A new concept resulting from this research can be explained due to possible mechanisms of action of probiotic bacteria, according to which equilibrium of hostile bacterial flora is achieved by mechanical elimi- nation of cariogenic bacteria from the mouth. This research was conducted during a 4-week period on a randomly se- lected Croatian sample of 50 participants, with the aim to investigate the efficacy of the first probiotic toothpaste ever pro- duced in Croatia. CRT tests (Ivoclar Vivadent AG, FL-9494 Schaan / Liechtenstein) were used and individually admi- nistrated to each participant to assess the number of Streptococci and Lactobacilli. Saliva samples were tested before, as well as 2 and 4 weeks after using the tested toothpaste. After having had obtained detailed information on the research protocol, participants signed informed consent, and strictly following the instructions, brushed their teeth exclusively us- ing the tested toothpaste and toothbrush of the same manufacturer over the 4 week period. Statistical results obtained af- ter 4 weeks of using the probiotic toothpaste showed significant reduction in the number of participants who, prior to commencing the study, were diagnosed a high number of cariogenic bacteria. The number of participants with the high number of streptococci was significantly reduced from 78.4 to 26.5%, as well as the number of participants with the high number of Lactobacilli, which significantly dropped down from 52.9 to 26.5%. The results indicate a significant efficacy of the tested toothpaste, which can be attributed to the effect of the contained synthetized probiotic substance. Therefore, this research reveals a new achievement in innovative technologies, based on which probiotics can be used with purpose of maintaining balance of bacterial flora within the oral cavity, particularly in high risk groups who are more prone to developing caries.
Keywords
toothpaste; probiotics; CRT tests
Hrčak ID:
118388
URI
Publication date:
30.12.2013.
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