Probiotics and Periodontal Health
Periodontal diseases are multifactorial and chronic inflammatory conditions that impact the oral and systemic health of nearly half of the United States. More than 700 bacteria are present in the oral environment;1 however, not all bacteria are related to disease.
The oral microbiome is composed of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa. It is the second largest microbial community after the gut and is an ideal habitat for bacteria to flourish. The oral microbiome exists primarily as a dental biofilm and plays a vital role in protecting the mouth by maintaining a symbiotic relationship with the host. This balanced microbial community supports immune functions, inhibits the growth of harmful pathogens, and prevents pathogenic bacteria from proliferating in the oral environment.1
The oral microbiome can change with diet as well as oral pH.1 The problem arises when commensal bacteria are replaced with disease-related bacteria. With dysbiosis in the microbiome, a host response occurs, and the patient is susceptible to inflammatory diseases, such as periodontitis, as well as systemic diseases including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and autoimmune diseases.2 Preventing dysbiosis is key to maintaining health.
The dental community has been searching for treatments that will supplement conventional methods of treating periodontal diseases. Nonsurgical periodontal therapy is hindered by limitations including root concavities, reliance on clinician skill, and scaling without direct vision. Research suggests scaling does not remove all the pathogenic bacteria, leading to reinfection of the pocket and the risk of antibiotic resistance discourages the use of this therapy.3 Surgical intervention is often the only option.3
* References and figures can be found in the original article via the link above.
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