Probiotic Bacteria Offer New Hope in Fight Against Periodontal Diseases

According to the American Dental Association, nearly half of all United States adults age 30 and older develop periodontitis. In its most severe form, the disease is especially prevalent among adults age 65 and older. Periodontal diseases are not just a dental problem, but have many links to systemic disorders, from diabetes to dementia.

So it’s no surprise that research concerning the oral-systemic link, the role inflammation plays, and how to treat it, proliferates—including investigations into the role of probiotics.

DEAD OR ALIVE

Researchers at Brazil’s Sao Paulo State University recently investigated the use of Lactobacillus reuteri as an adjunct in the treatment of periodontal diseases. Specifically, L. reuteri was deployed as a probiotic agent against Porphyromonas gingivalis, the primary pathogen in periodontal diseases.¹ L. reuteri is a lactic-acid-producing type of bacteria that inhabits the intestinal tracts of mammals and birds. As a probiotic, it has been used to prevent or curtail pathogen proliferation and is known for its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties.

The researchers used both live and heat-killed forms of L. reuteri, and both forms did equally well when exposed to P. gingivalis. These results open the door to the development of products without the use of live bacteria. This is encouraging news, as the administration of live bacteria reportedly always carries a degree of risk.

BOOSTERS MAY IMPROVE RESULTS

Researchers have been exploring the potential benefits of using probiotic bacteria to treat periodontal diseases over the past 10-plus years. Most have used L reuteri, which has been found, in at least one study, to significantly reduce gingival bleeding and crevicular fluid volumes.^2,3

While there were some clinical benefits in treating periodontal diseases with probiotics—often delivered in the form of chewable tablets, lozenges, and chewing gum—they tended to be temporary. This has given rise to the question of administering booster doses for better long-term results.² With the unique Sao Paulo State University findings demonstrating the potential effects of heat-killed vs live forms, additional research on probiotics is clearly needed. Products resulting from such research could be game changers for those, such as dental hygienists, on the front lines of periodontal disease treatment.

References

1. Geraldo BMC, Batalha MN, Milhan NVM, Rossoni RD, Scorzoni L, Anbinder AL. Heat-killed Lactobacillus reuteri and cell-free supernatant have similar effects to viable probiotics during interaction with Porphyromonas gingivalis. J Periodontal Res. 2019 Nov 6. Epub ahead of print.
2. Jayaram P, Chatterjee A, Raghunathan V. Probiotics in the treatment of periodontal disease: a systematic review. J Indian Soc Periodontol. 2016;20:488–495.
3. Twetman S, Derawi B, Keller M, Ekstrand K, Yucel-Lindberg T, Stecksen-Blicks C. Short-term effect of chewing gums containing probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri on the levels of inflammatory mediators in gingival crevicular fluid. Acta Odontol Scand. 2009;67:19–24.