Objective: To evaluate the effect of chewable probiotic tablets on plaque accumulation and gingival inflammation, salivary pH and remineralization of white spot lesions in pre-school children with high caries risk.
Materials and Methods: A randomized clinical trial with two parallel arms was used with a sample of 40 high caries risk children 3-5 years old. Children were divided randomly into two equal groups. Group I: children received probiotic tablets and were instructed to chew it once daily after routine tooth brushing for two weeks. Group II: children performed only routine tooth brushing. A plaque and gingival indices were scored, salivary pH was assessed, and DIAGNOdentTM readings were recorded from all participants at baseline and after two weeks of intervention.
Results: Data showed that after two weeks of intervention, the mean plaque index after using the probiotic chewable tablets was lower than the control group with statistically significant difference. The mean gingival index was lower in the test group than the control group with statistically significant difference. Probiotic showed a percent increase in the mean pH values, while the control group showed a percent decrease at the end of the study with statistically significant difference between the two groups. Both groups showed a decrease in the mean DIAGNOdentTM scores with no statistically significant difference between them.
Conclusion: Probiotics play an important role in the improvement of oral health. Additionally, they can be used as an adjunct to fluoride in dental caries prevention or control in high caries risk children.