PROBIOTICS – NATURAL WAY TO PREVENT DECAY AND GUM DISEASE
Posted by Grace Staff on Sat, Apr 16, 2011 @ 01:07 PM
submitted by Dr. Kevin P. Grace
PROBIOTICS - PREVENT DECAY AND GUM DISEASE
A novel approach to dental caries and gum disease prevention is on the horizon: probiotics. Probiotics are live microorganisms that confer a health benefit to the host organism when administered in sufficient amounts. The beneficial bacteria in a probiotic formulation can help maintain a healthy balance of bacteria. Examples of common probiotic applications are yogurt containing live cultures, acidophilus capsules to improve digestion, and products for improved immune system and vaginal and urinary health.
It is well documented in probiotics literature that the best benefits come from taking probiotics that are of human origin and that are natural colonizers of the site where a where a benefit is desired.
ProBiora3 is a blend of three naturally occurring strains of oral bacteria with documented oral health benefits. The three bacteria are Streptococcus oralis, Streptococcus uberis, and Streptococcus rattus, originally isolated from the oral cavity of healthy subjects. This unique blend of bacteria has the ability to suppress the levels of S. mutans, the principal etiologic agent of tooth decay and species of viridans streptococci, the bacteria that cause most types of periodontal disease The beneficial bacteria colonize below the gum line, on the surface of teeth, and in the crevices of chewing surfaces.
These probiotic bacteria use up nutrients so that “bad” bacteria don’t proliferate; produces hydrogen peroxide (whitens teeth) and decreases volatile sulfur compounds (decreases bad breath). They also produce a substance called a lantibiotic – this substance actually kills the S. mutans bacteria (bacteria producing an antibiotic!)
PROCESS OF INTRODUCING THE PROBIOTIC BACTERIA AT OUR OFFICE:
- After a professional prophylaxis (cleaning) at the dental office, the “bad” bacteria levels are decreased and habitat of bacteria is disrupted.
- EvoraPro is taken for 10 days (only purchased at dental office)
- EvoraPlus taken as a maintenance dose (purchased in stores by patient)
- Probiotics must be continually exposed to the oral cavity – factors that cause Probiotic bacteria to drop in numbers are stress, medications (especially antibiotics), poor home care, life-style changes, dry mouth
- Lozenge is dissolved in mouth once or twice a day (depends on treatment needs)
- Xylitol products accentuate the beneficial effects of the probiotics
Our office is now introducing these oral probiotics to our patients. Patients who have more cavities than acceptable and the beginnings of periodontal (gum) disease are great candidates for this process.
The protocol requires about 30 days of using the oral probiotics before you will see results.
Information taken from Wikipedia and Gregory E. Oxford, DDS, MS, PhD in his article published in: Inside Dentistry, March 2011, Volume 7, Issue 3, Published by AEGIS Communications