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Probiotics don’t just work wonders for the gut; they can also make a difference in your oral health! Dental probiotics (aka oral probiotics) are currently making waves for their benefits in combating problems like bad breath and tooth decay. But what’s the science behind it? This article will break down all the important facts — what strains are beneficial to oral health and how they work.

We’re also featuring some of the best dental probiotics available on the market to help you decide on a product choice.

What Are Probiotics And How Do They Work?

Probiotics are the “good” live bacteria/yeasts that live inside your body naturally. These living microorganisms help boost your health and aim to restore the composition of the gut microbiome and introduce important functions to gut microbial communities, preventing gut inflammation and other intestinal or systemic diseases. 

Aside from keeping the bad bacteria at bay, good bacteria keep you healthy by sustaining your immune function and preventing inflammation. Certain types of good bacteria can also:

• Help your body digest food.
• Create vitamins.
• Prevents bad bacteria from entering your blood.
• Break down and absorb medications.

Probiotic supplements contain live organisms; one dose may contain high doses of single or multiple probiotic strains. You can also get them from certain food sources, which can add good bacteria to your body. 

What Are Dental Probiotics?

But probiotics don’t just benefit the gut; they can benefit your dental health too. Otherwise known as oral probiotics, dental probiotics have shown incredible benefits for people with common oral problems. They often come as chewable tablets, dissolvable lozenges, or drinks. Some kinds of toothpaste and mouthwash also have probiotics.

How Do Dental Probiotics Work?

Ingesting probiotics have been found to protect and fight dental and oral problems, from the minor to more serious issues. As with the gut, dental probiotics promote the growth of good bacteria and microorganisms to combat bad bacteria that causes oral problems such as the following:

• Cavities
• Halitosis (persistent bad breath)
• Tooth decay
• Tonsilitis
• Gingivitis
• Gum disease
• Oral thrush (Candidiasis)
• Oral yeast infections
• Other oral infections

Kinds Of Dental Probiotics

There are different kinds of probiotic strains that benefit oral health. Experts single the best ones as the following:

• Lactobacillus acidophilus
• Lactobacillus brevis
• Lactobacillus casei
• Lactobacillus paracasei
• Lactobacillus reuteri
• Lactobacillus rhamnosus
• Lactobacillus sakei
• Lactobacillus salivarius
• Streptococcus salivarius K12
• Streptococcus salivarius M18

Other probiotic strains may help target specific oral health problems. For bad breath, a study from the University of Connecticut found that Streptococcus salivarius strains K12 and M18 effectively reduce the bacterial growth associated with halitosis. S. salivarius strains were also found to inhibit strep throat, pharyngitis, and tonsillitis, leading to potential alternative antibiotic treatment applications.

The L. reuteri and L. brevis strains have proven to benefit the gums, while L. paracasei (SD1), L. acidophilus, L. casei, and L.salivarius have been shown to reduce the progression of dental cavities. Another study showed that drinking probiotic milk on a daily basis decreased oral inflammation caused by gum disease.

Aside from supplementation, these oral probiotics can also be found in food sources such as: 

Some foods that are easy to find and contain natural oral probiotic properties include:

• Probiotic milk/beverages
• Yogurt
• Sauerkraut
• Miso
• Pickled/fermented vegetables
• Fermented beverages (e.g., kombucha and kefir)
• Cheeses (particularly soft cheeses)
• Cultured cottage cheese
• Dark chocolate
• Mangos
• Almond butter
• Sourdough bread

Although many of the findings by researchers seem positive, more studies are needed to fully establish dental probiotics as an effective way to fight bad oral bacteria. 

What Are The Best Brands of Dental Probiotics?

If you’re looking for a dental probiotic to jumpstart your oral health journey, you can try out some of these popular dental probiotic supplements, each chosen for their brand popularity and ingredient quality. https://getsuperteeth.com/products/dental-probiotic-60-count

1. Burst Oral Probiotics

Anyone struggling with bad oral health can greatly benefit from BURST Oral Probiotic’s potent proprietary blend that contains one of the highest concentrations of BLIS K12TM and BLIS M-18TM compared to most supplements on the market. 

The probiotic strains in the blend – L. parcasei, L. plantarum, L. acidophillus, L.reuteri, and S. salivarius (BLIS K12TM and BLIS M-18TM) have been chosen for their effectiveness in promoting oral health. Each lozenge contains about 6 billion CFU (at the time of manufacturing), which is proven to deliver fast-acting results in only a matter of days.

The lozenges are made free of artificial flavors, sweeteners, and possible allergens like lactose, nuts, gluten, nightshade, soy, and GMOs to ensure maximum safety. Each bottle contains 45 chewable tablets, which are active and shelf-stable without refrigeration for up to 18 months. 

Pros

• Clean, traceable ingredients
• No artificial flavors, sweeteners, or fillers
• Vegetarian
• Keto-friendly
• Third-party tested
• Free from allergens like grain, soy, nut, shellfish, gluten, and dairy
• Manufactured in an FDA-certified facility 
• No chalky feel.

Cons

• Not vegan

2. Hyperbiotics Pro Dental Chewable Tablets

One tablet of Hyperbiotics Pro can deliver optimal oral health, support microbial balance, and ensure a fresher breath in just a few chews, thanks to its choice formulation of four probiotic strains scientifically proven to combat bad bacteria linked to oral health problems.

The probiotic strains in this blend, L. salivarius, L. reuteri, L. paracasei, and L. sakei, mixed with chelated zinc, all work together to create an environment in the oral cavity that may help lessen the risk of oral health problems. The probiotic organisms in this formula are released over 8-10 hours to ensure they safely bypass stomach acids and reach deep into the intestinal tract.

Each production batch is tested for safety, purity, and potency, adhering to good manufacturing processes (GMP). The formula is vegetarian, non-GMO, and free of preservatives, fillers, and allergens like dairy, gluten, yeast, soy, sugar, and nuts.

Pros

• Made with quality ingredients
• No artificial flavors, preservatives, or fillers
• Vegetarian
• Sugar-free
• Free from allergens like grain, soy, nut, shellfish, gluten, and dairy
• Third-party tested
• No refrigeration needed 
• Long-lasting shelf life
• Small size
• Follows GMP protocol

Cons

• Not suitable for vegans
• Not keto-friendly

3. SuperTeeth Dental Probiotic

Get rid of plaque and enamel-eroding acid in your mouth with SuperTeeth Dental Probiotic’s minty 3-strain probiotic tablets that boost good bacteria that can help prevent cavities, give fresher breath, and reduce tooth sensitivity. It also contains prebiotics to further stimulate healthy bacteria.

SuperTeeth uses 3 strains proven to help fight bad oral bacteria – L. reuteri, L. paracasei, and S. salivarius (BLIS M18). Each tablet has about 3 billion CFU, enough to populate the mouth with good probiotics that help fight against oral diseases, break down dental plaque, improve pH levels in the mouth, restore good oral flora, and balance the oral microbiome.

You won’t have to worry about product safety and quality, as the tablets are made with choice ingredients, are non-GMO, and free from sugar, fluoride, and all major allergens. Each product batch undergoes meticulous product testing to ensure potency and efficacy. 

Pros

• No artificial flavors, preservatives, or fillers
• Vegetarian
• Non-GMO
• Flouride-free
• Sugar-free
• Free from allergens like grain, soy, nut, shellfish, gluten, and dairy
• Third-party tested
• No refrigeration needed 
• Small size
• Suits both adults and children

Cons

• Doesn’t suit vegan and keto diets
• Doesn’t specify the particular dental issues it addresses.

When Is The Best Time To Take Dental Probiotics?

Probiotics work best when consumed on an empty stomach, ensuring that the good bacteria make it to the gut as safely and quickly as possible. Otherwise, they might not survive the leg of the journey. 

That said, the best time to take a probiotic is either first thing in the morning before eating breakfast or before sleeping at night. Most people’s stomach tends to be empty either early in the morning after waking up or at the end of the day before bed, after completing one’s oral care routine in the evening before bed. This will allow the good bacteria the longest time to colonize. If you take it during the day, avoid eating or drinking for at least 30 minutes.

However, you should always check the intake instructions on the probiotic supplement for the recommended way to take your probiotic.