Importance of probiotics in oral health

GÜLFEM ÜNAL
Ege University Faculty of Agriculture
Department of Dairy Technology, Bornova, Izmir, 35100, Turkey

Abstract

Probiotics are living microorganisms that are safe for human consumption and have beneficial effects on humanhealth. The main field of researches on probiotics has been in the gastrointestinal tract. However, in recent years oral health hasalso been in the scope of research. In this review, the mechanisms of probiotic actions in oral cavity and researches that dealwith oral health are evaluated. Consumption of probiotic dairy products and administration of medical device containingprobiotics are assessed in perspective of oral therapy. Health benefits of probiotics have been demonstrated both in vitro and invivo studies. It is concluded from this review that much more investigations should be held to make the effects of probiotics clear;so that probiotic therapy can be recommended for oral health purposes.


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