Effects of Different Types of Probiotics on Microbial Colonization in Saliva of Orthodontic Patients—In Vivo Study

Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus count is found to be higher in orthodontic patients and is one of the leading causes of white spot lesion formation. Probiotics are emerging as alternative methods of plaque control. To determine the effects of different types of probiotics on S. mutans and Lactobacillus levels in saliva of orthodontic patients. A total of 140 subjects were divided into Control group (Group I) with 20 subjects and study group taking probiotics (Group II) with 120 subjects. Saliva samples were taken at baseline ( T0), after three weeks ( T1), and after six weeks ( T2). The samples were diluted and incubated on specific agar media plates. The colonies observed were expressed in colony forming units per milliliter (CFU/ml) of saliva. Group II was further subdivided into six subgroups based on probiotic intake with 20 subjects in each subgroup. Statistically significant difference was found in salivary microbial counts in all the probiotic groups ( p < 0.05). The highest reduction in count of S. mutans (653.00 ± 102.23 CFU/ml to 84.1 ± 30.48 CFU/ml) and Lactobacilli (87.35 ± 15.64 CFU/ml to 14.60 ± 8.28 CFU/ml) was seen in the lozenges group. Probiotics decrease the number of salivary S. mutans and Lactobacilli and lozenges could be considered for orthodontic fixed appliance patients.