Can Dental Probiotics Help Treat Bad Breath & Gum Disease?
Table of Contents
- What Are Probiotics?
- Probiotics & Bad Breath
- Probiotics & Gum Disease
- How Do I Get Probiotics?
- Who Is a Candidate?
- Where to Purchase
- References
Dental probiotics can potentially reduce bacteria in the mouth, lessening bad breath and decreasing the likelihood of gum disease.
What Are Probiotics?
Probiotics are foods or supplements that promote healthy bacteria in the body. Healthy bacteria (or normal microflora) are thought to help balance the micro-bacteria ecosystem of the body called the microbiome. Promoting healthy bacteria may have a positive impact on gut and overall health.
Some foods, like sauerkraut and yogurt, contain natural probiotics. Probiotics can also be taken in supplements and probiotic products.
What Are Dental Probiotics?
Dental probiotics follow a similar principle but are manufactured to improve overall oral health and guard against problems like bad breath and gum disease.
Both “good” and “bad” bacteria exist in the gut. They both also exist in the mouth.
Dental probiotics aim to promote good bacteria in the mouth. Some research shows that working to promote the good bacteria in the mouth may be more effective than trying to minimize the bad bacteria.
While dental probiotics are not yet approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), most brands use ingredients found in standard, fully approved probiotics, making them a safe choice for most consumers.
Probiotics and Bad Breath
Bacteria in the mouth is the leading cause of bad breath among people who don’t have an existing dental issue that needs to be treated, such as a cavity. While consistently brushing, flossing, and rinsing can stave off minor issues, if you notice persistent bad breath, you should investigate further.
Probiotics may be able to shift the balance of bacteria and clear out problematic bacteria. When you reduce “bad” bacteria in your mouth, you may discover that your breath improves and that you don’t have to work as hard to keep poor breath at bay.
Some health experts and nutritionists believe that taking prebiotics along with probiotics help to maintain healthy bacteria.
Probiotics and Gum Disease
Traditional probiotics that promote gut health do so by adding “good” bacteria to balance out “bad” bacteria. Proponents of probiotics for dental health believe the same principle is at work when it comes to your mouth regarding dental probiotics.
By replacing the bad bacteria with good bacteria, it may be possible to prevent gum disease or at least prevent it from getting worse. Researchers have not made a clear connection between probiotics and a reduced risk of gum disease, but early studies show promise that there is a link.
Probiotics may also be helpful for people who have reduced saliva flow. Saliva is an unheralded but important part of dental health. It coats teeth to help reduce a buildup of tartar and plaque, both of which can cause gum and teeth problems.
Some medications (chemotherapy drugs especially) and treatments (radiation therapy) can reduce saliva production, as do certain medical conditions (diabetes, Alzheimer’s, and yeast infections).
How Do I Get Probiotics?
Here are a few ways to get probiotics into your system:
Eat more fermented foods. These include sauerkraut, probiotic yogurt, tempeh, miso and kimchi, which is fermented cabbage, a mainstay in Korean culture. These healthy foods are easy to find in the supermarket and just as easy to implement into your diet.
Consume beverages with probiotics. Those include fermented tea drinks like kombucha and kefir.
Add a probiotic supplement to your daily routine. Probiotic supplements come in a variety of forms (capsules, powders and liquids), but they all need to live in your refrigerator. Special dental probiotics are also available, but you should talk to your dentist before trying one out on your own.
Are Probiotics Right for Everyone?
Probiotics are generally considered safe for consumption by most people. You’ll even find probiotics that are made for children on the market today. That doesn’t mean that you necessarily need them.
For many people, probiotics may do little for their overall health. This is especially true if you’re considering a probiotic supplement to improve your oral health.
When it comes to your dental health, the best thing you can do is visit your dentist for regular cleanings and checkups. At home, take proper care of your teeth by brushing and flossing regularly.
If you’re interested in probiotics for dental health, have a conversation with your dentist first. They can help guide you toward the right product or let you know that they may not be effective or necessary for you.
Where to Purchase Dental Probiotic Supplements
There are many dental probiotic supplements available, and this market is growing. Here are some top picks:
Designs for Health Periobiotic Silver Probiotic Toothpaste: This fluoride-free paste features a Lactobacillus paracasei probiotic along with purified silver, coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), xylitol, and coco betaine to support mouth health and healthy mouth bacteria. About $14 for a 4 oz. tube.
Hyperbiotics Activated Charcoal Probiotic Toothpaste: Purifying charcoal and the probiotic L. paracasei, along with xylitol and organic coconut oil, make this paste a natural choice for oral health. Formulated for adults. About $18 for a 4 oz. tube.
Super Teeth Dietary Supplement: Formulated with guidance from dentists and nutritionists, Super Teeth promotes a healthy oral microbiome with 3 billion CFUs of dental probiotic strains. Take it once or twice after meals, like a mouthwash. Formulated for kids and adults. $29.95 for 60 capsules (discount available with subscription).
Replenish the Good Dental Probiotic: These chewable tablets are a popular choice in supplements, with over 8,000 Amazon reviews, an extended shelf life, and a balanced blend of clinically researched probiotic strains. $16.99 for a bottle of 30.
BioGaia Prodentis Lozenges for Kids: With a fun apple flavor and tested probiotic ingredients, these lozenges are kid-friendly and safe for braces too. For ages 3 and up. About $23 for a bottle of 30 lozenges.