The role of yogurt enriched with LGG culture (Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG) in dental caries prevention

Abstract

Introduction/Objective Contemporary tendencies suggest that probiotics can significantly reduce the prevalence of caries in children, so it can be considered that they have a positive effect on general and oral health. Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) is a probiotic culture of particular importance in preventive dentistry. The aim was to assess the effects of consumption of probiotic strain Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG on the dental plaque accumulation in children with mixed dentition. Methods Research included 90 children with mixed dentition (5–12 years old). The first study group consumed 200 ml of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG-enriched yogurt (B-Activ LGG, Dukat) daily for a period of 14 days, while the remaining 30 formed the second study group who consumed 200 ml of yogurt (Jogurt 1.5% milk fat, Imlek) with manually added powder from probiotic capsule (Wayaforte LGG capsule, Medis) daily for 14 days. The control group consisted of 30 children who had regular diet during examination period. Silness–Löe plaque index and saliva pH (pH-Fix-0-14, Macherey-Nagel) were determined at baseline and also upon intervention completion. Results An increase in pH values was observed in both study groups. In general sample, there is a significant decrease of mean plaque index values (p < 0.001). Both study groups had significant decrease of mean plaque index values on the baseline and after 14 days consumption of yogurt. In the control group the number of subjects with decrease plaque index values did not correlate and no association was found. Conclusion Consistent consumption of LGG culture-enriched yogurt inhibits dental film accumulation and promotes saliva pH increase in children with mixed dentition.