Probiotics: a biotherapy for resolving oral inflammation

The purpose of this study is to critically analyse studies that are related to the use of probiotics to manage common oral diseases like dental caries, gingival and periodontal diseases as well as oral malodour. There is considerable evidence available supporting the fact that oral health has impact on general health and vice versa. Therefore, oral care is an important consideration in maintaining quality of life. Due to the increasing resistance to antibiotics, there is a need to minimise antibiotic use and develop novel treatments for oral diseases that do not involve conventional antimicrobial agents. Preventive approaches based upon the restoration of the microbial ecological balance, rather than elimination of the disease associated species, have been proposed. Thus, there is a desire for more ‘natural’ therapies. Probiotics form the cornerstone of such biotherapy. Probiotics have potential to prevent and control these diseases by more effectively addressing the host-microbial interface to restore homeostasis that may not be achieved with conventional treatments. While this beneficial effect was originally thought to stem from improvements in the intestinal microbial balance, there is now substantial evidence that probiotics can also provide benefits by modulating immune functions. Thus, an accurate characterization of the disease systems and mechanisms of inflammation will not only enable us to measure the impact between multiple diseases and develop new therapeutics, but will also help to develop a “personalized” treatment approach specifically targeting the susceptible individual rather than prescribing the same treatment to all subjects regardless of the underlying cause.