[Effects of Oral Probiotics] There Probiotics That Are Good For Bad Breath And Periodontitis

Hello, I am Jinny, a pharmacist.

Recently, there has been an increase in the number of people who wear masks and say, “I was surprised by the smell of my breath.” This is because wearing a mask impedes oxygen supply, creating a favorable environment for harmful bacteria to live in the mouth.

Harmful bacteria that proliferate in this way not only cause bad breath, but also cavities and periodontitis, threatening overall oral health.

So what are some ways to suppress the growth of these harmful bacteria? The method receiving the most attention in academia recently is the intake of ‘lactic acid bacteria.’You probably consume probiotics knowing that they are helpful for intestinal health. Therefore, today we would like to learn about the oral health-related benefits of lactic acid bacteria.

By looking at the name of the lactic acid bacteria, you can tell which genus and species it belongs to. The species ‘Salivarius’ of the genus ‘Lactobacillus’ is a strain on which many academic studies related to oral health have been reported.

In 2010, a paper was published in Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology, Oral Radiology, and Endodontology that studied the effect on bad breath when taking pills containing Lactobacillus salivarius and xylitol.

Another lactic acid bacteria that has accumulated a lot of oral-related research is ‘Lactobacillus reuteri.’ This strain is found in human breast milk and is passed from mother to child through breastfeeding. So, when you stop breastfeeding, it starts to gradually decrease.

Recently, the domestic medical community has discovered that Lactobacillus reuteri species has a strong antibacterial effect against bacteria that cause periodontal disease and cavities.

Have you ever experienced swollen and bleeding gums? This is also a phenomenon that occurs due to excessive growth of harmful bacteria in the mouth. Especially, consuming caffeine, drinking alcohol, and smoking dries out the inside of the mouth, creating a favorable environment for bacteria to proliferate.

A study was published in Beneficial Microbes in 2019 using Lactobacillus reuteri as an adjunctive treatment for chronic periodontitis in smokers.

Today, we looked at the oral health-related benefits of lactic acid bacteria. It would also be good to know that depending on the type of lactic acid bacteria, the effect on oral health may vary. Moreover, do not forget that proper brushing and eating habits are also important for comprehensive oral health care.

I hope you have a healthy day both physically and mentally. This was Jinny.