This study will be conducted to evaluate the antibacterial effect of probiotic bacteria in yogurt in decreasing streptococcus mutans count in saliva and plaque, decreasing bacterial adherence and increasing salivary pH compared to xylitol-containing chewing gum after three months.
The subjects will be assigned randomly into two equal groups to receive either probiotic yogurt or xylitol-containing chewing gum for three months. The probiotic yogurt is (Activia; Danone, Egypt) containing Bifidobacterium (7x107 CFU/g). The subjects assigned to probiotic yogurt group will be instructed to eat 100 g of the provided yogurt 10 minutes after dinner and not to brush their teeth until one hour later. The subjects assigned to the xylitol-chewing gum group will be instructed to chew the provided gum three times daily for five minutes after each meal.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
96
Probiotics are found in different dairy products including yoghurt, that are known as carriers of probiotics. These products can be easily integrated in daily meals to reduce cariogenic streptococcus mutans bacteria in dental biofilm
Xylitol is widely used as an added sweetener in sugar-free products. It has been found to prevent dental caries through reducing dental plaque and limiting salivary streptococcus mutans counts and their produced levels of lactic acid
streptococcus mutans count in saliva
The samples will be transported to the laboratory and cultured on selective media (dry Mitis Salivarius Agar with potassium tellurite medium and bacitracin) after serial dilutions. The plates will be incubated at 37ºC in 5-10% CO2 jar. then number of Colony Forming Units (CFU/ml) of Mutans Streptococci in saliva will be determined
Time frame: 3 months
streptococcus mutans count in plaque
The samples will then be dispersed and spread over the culture media plates (mitis salivarius-bacitracin Agar), and the plates will be incubated under aerobic conditions
Time frame: 3 months
salivary pH
All the saliva samples will be tested on the same day for salivary pH using digital pH meter. The equipment will be calibrated with distilled water to reach pH 7 every time before measuring each sample
Time frame: 3 months
bacterial adherence
After applying disclosing agent over teeth, standard photographic images of the maxillary and mandibular facial surfaces of teeth will be taken. Digital plaque image analysis will be used to analyze plaque coverage. Images will be converted into pixels to calculate the percentage of the tooth covered with plaque divided by the total tooth area (both tooth areas with and without plaque) as follows: plaque area coverage = \[plaque pixels / (tooth pixels + plaque pixels)\] × 100 The computer analysis results will be checked for consistency and accuracy by an expert in image analysis who is blinded to the assigned treatment
Time frame: 3 months
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.