There has been a growing interest in understanding how probiotics, especially strains like Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, influence oral health in children.
Probiotics containing Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium support pediatric oral health by reducing the risk of dental caries and improving gingival health.
There has been a growing interest in understanding how probiotics, especially strains like Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, influence oral health in children. Hence, this systematic review and meta-analysis sought to explore the effectiveness of these probiotic strains in alleviating dental caries and enhancing periodontal health among children aged 1–18 years.
An extensive literature search was done across PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, the Cochrane Library, and Embase. Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were incorporated to ensure the robustness of evidence regarding probiotic efficiency in pediatric oral care. Researchers focused on objective parameters such as Streptococcus mutans levels, incidence of caries, and degree of gingival inflammation.
Out of 28,103 articles screened, 5 met the inclusion criteria. Supplementation with probiotics—particularly Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium—was linked with a 20% reduction in the occurrence of dental caries (risk ratio [RR] = 0.80) and a 15% improvement in gingival health (RR = 0.85).
Probiotics—particularly Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium—illustrated a 20% reduction in dental caries and a 15% improvement in gum health among children, underscoring their potential as an effective approach for preventing tooth decay and managing early periodontal issues in pediatric care.
Microbes and Infectious Diseases
The Effectiveness of probiotics in preventing and managing dental caries and gingival health in children aged 1–18 years: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Ehab Qasim Talib et al.
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