Inhibitory effect of Lactobacillus paracasei subsp. paracasei NTU 101 on rat dental caries

The aim of this study was to evaluate the Streptococcus mutans counts and erosion of the dental enamel after the application of Lactobacillus paracasei subsp. paracasei NTU 101 and fermented skim soy milk. Several studies have found that probiotics and their fermented products can be a good therapeutic alternative to nonspecific mechanical plaque removal or the application of broad-spectrum antibiotics. In this study, L. paracasei subsp. paracasei NTU 101 and fermented skim soy milk displayed antibacterial activity against several microorganisms. In animal experiments, these agents significantly reduced oral S. mutans counts from 105 to 102 (p <0.01). We assessed caries scores to evaluate the decay process during a 64-day period. The results revealed that the bacteriological factors involved in the caries process can be suppressed, thus suggesting that L. paracasei subsp. paracasei NTU 101 and their fermented products are protective factors against dental caries development.