Abstract
Background: In our previous clinical study showed that probiotic Lactobacillus paracasei SD1 was safe, and the strain could reduce salivary cariogenic mutans streptococci resulting in reduce caries progression in volunteers by receiving everyday milk powder containing probiotic L. paracasei SD1. Aims: This continued study aimed to examine the efficacy of caries prevention by receiving probiotic milk powder every day, 3 days/week compared to normal milk (without probiotic). Methods: The study designed as randomized double blind controlled trial taking 1 year of monitoring. After consented, all participants have been randomized into 3 groups including: probiotic group who received probiotic milk every day, mixed group who received probiotic milk 3 days a week and control group who received milk without probiotic every day, 3 grams for 6 months. All participants were monitor at baseline (T0), 6 (T6) and 12 (T12) months for caries status, salivary immune, human neutrophil peptides (HNP) 1-3 by ELISA kit, and bacterial levels (total lactobacilli, L. paracasei/L. casei and S. mutans) by real time PCR. Results: It showed that probiotic L. paracasei SD1 could prevent caries progression and promote regression among children who received probiotic milk either every day or 3 days/week compared to control group. This is the results from the findings of reducing of cariogenic S. mutans and stimulating of salivary immune HNP 1-3 among children who received probiotic milk either every day or 3 days/week compared to control group. In conclusions: Results of study indicated that the consumption of probiotic milk either every day or 3 days/week could prevent dental caries. However, it noticed that salivary immune HNP 1-3 level was significant higher in children who received probiotic milk every day than in children who received probiotic milk 3 days/week, which may effect on caries prevention in long term. This study provides information that may be useful for administration of giving probiotic L. paracasei SD1 to prevent caries in young children.
