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Caries
Walaa Al Turki, BDS
Resident
university of alabama at birmingham
homewood, Alabama, United States
Leena Menon, BDS, MDS, MS
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Kristina N. Valladares, MS
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Janice G. Jackson, DMD
Professor & Chair Department of Pediatric Dentistry
University of Alabama at Birmingham
birmingham, Alabama, United States
Ping Zhang, D.D.S., Ph.D.
Professor and Director of Research
University of Alabama at Birmingham
University of Alabama at Birmingham
birmingham, Alabama, United States
Ping Zhang, D.D.S., Ph.D.
Professor and Director of Research
University of Alabama at Birmingham
University of Alabama at Birmingham
birmingham, Alabama, United States
Janice G. Jackson, DMD
Professor & Chair Department of Pediatric Dentistry
University of Alabama at Birmingham
birmingham, Alabama, United States
Purpose:
Probiotic Lactobacillus species have been shown to have beneficial effects against early childhood caries (ECC) by inhibiting the growth of cariogenic bacteria. However, the acidogenicity of Lactobacillus spp. could have potential carious effect. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of probiotic lactobacilli and cariogenic lactobacilli on the growth, biofilm formation and acid production of Streptococcus mutans.
Methods:
Growth competition between probiotic L. rhamnosus GG (L-GG) or caries-associated L. rhamnosus M72-26 (L-M72) and S. mutans UA159 (Sm) were assessed on Todd Hewitt Yeast (THY) agar plates and De Man-Rogosa-Sharpe (MRS) agar plates. Lactobacilli and Sm single- and dual-species biofilm formation in THY medium containing 1% sucrose were evaluated via crystal violet staining. Acid production by lactobacilli and Sm single- and dual-species biofilms at different time intervals were analyzed using an Orion pH meter.
Results:
There was no inhibition of Sm growth by L-GG or L-M72 on THY and MRS agar plates. L-GG and L-M72 did not inhibit Sm biofilm formation either. In addition, the dual species biofilm showed similar levels of acid production as lactobacilli single-species biofilms.
Conclusions:
Probiotic L-GG does not inhibit the growth and biofilm formation of S. mutans and may not be effective in preventing ECC. Further studies will evaluate the in vivo effects of L-GG on S. mutans-induced caries development in animal models.