3 Probiotic Benefits for Oral Health

Probiotics don’t just benefit your digestive health, there is now evidence that they can lead to a healthy mouth, too. Probiotics are beneficial bacteria found in some yogurts, naturally fermented foods, and commercial supplements that establish a healthy bacterial flora.

Probiotics have long been associated with improved digestion and a stronger immune system, but these three benefits for oral health might provide another reason to incorporate them into your diet.

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1. Get rid of bad breath — Halitosis, or bad breath, mostly occurs in the mouth where food particles are left behind and are consumed by bacteria. These bacteria produce a foul-smelling gas that leads to bad breath. According to Dr. Harold Katz, a California dentist and founder of the California Breath Clinic and TheraBreath oral healthcare products, probiotics in the mouth reduce this foul-smelling gas, and they prevent the proliferation of odor-causing bacteria. Probiotics occupy physical space in the mouth that would otherwise be inhabited by bad bacteria.

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2. Help with gum disease — According to a study published in the Swedish Dental Journal, the bleeding gums often associated with moderate to severe gingivitis or gum disease is significantly reduced with the help of oral probiotics. The two-week study included 59 patients with gingivitis. Those who were given the probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri saw improvement in their gingivitis and reduced plaque compared to the placebo group.

3. Fewer cavities — Dental caries is the scientific term for tooth decay and resulting cavities. An article published in the Journal of the Canadian Dental Association cited a study indicating that patients who consumed probiotics had a decrease in cariogenic bacteria, the bad bacteria responsible for cavities. To be effective, the probiotic must be a strain capable of adhering to the teeth, competing effectively with harmful bacteria, and creating a protective biofilm over oral tissues. A study published in Caries Research investigated the probiotic benefits of the strain Weissella cibaria and found it significantly reduced the formation of harmful cavity-causing plaque.

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