A New Frontier in Oral Care: Live <i>Streptococcus salivarius</i> M18 Probiotic Toothpaste

The oral microbiome, a complex ecosystem of microbes, is crucial for oral health. Imbalances in this ecosystem can lead to various oral diseases. Probiotics, live beneficial bacteria, offer a potential solution by strengthening oral defences. This study aimed to develop and evaluate a novel toothpas...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Sonali S. Sali, John D. F. Hale, Rohit Jain
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-01-01
Series:Applied Microbiology
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2673-8007/5/1/14
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Summary:The oral microbiome, a complex ecosystem of microbes, is crucial for oral health. Imbalances in this ecosystem can lead to various oral diseases. Probiotics, live beneficial bacteria, offer a potential solution by strengthening oral defences. This study aimed to develop and evaluate a novel toothpaste containing <i>Streptococcus salivarius</i> M18, a probiotic strain. After ensuring compatibility with toothpaste ingredients, a stable formulation with desirable properties was created. The toothpaste demonstrated cleaning efficacy and antimicrobial activity against oral pathogens in vitro. A clinical trial involving healthy adults showed that all doses of the probiotic toothpaste significantly increased <i>S. salivarius</i> M18 levels in saliva, with the effect persisting even after discontinuation. These findings suggest that the toothpaste effectively delivers the probiotic to the oral cavity and promotes colonisation. Further research is needed to optimise the formulation and assess its long-term impact on oral health.
ISSN:2673-8007