Effect of probiotic consumption on dental caries in preschool children. A literature review of the last 10 years

Abstract

Introduction: The oral cavity is characterized by the presence of diverse microenvironments that provide optimal conditions for microbial growth. The oral microbiome usually maintains a symbiotic balance with its host. However, any imbalance can trigger dysbiosis and the consequent development of diseases, such as dental caries. Probiotics are foods or supplements containing live microorganisms that when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit to the host. In recent decades, a wide variety of clinical studies have been conducted to examine their effect on dental caries and the oral microbiome. This literature review aims to analyze the effect of probiotics on dental caries in preschool children over the last 10 years.                                    Materials and Methods: A search was carried out in the Pubmed, Google Scholar, Cochrane and Epistemonikos databases. The terms "probiotics", "caries", "preschoolers" were used. Clinical cases, observational studies, clinical trials, narrative reviews and systematic reviews were included. The search time interval was between 2014-2024, selecting articles related to the use of probiotics as a therapeutic measure for caries.  Results/Conclusion: The existing literature on this topic is limited and heterogeneous. Some studies have shown promising results, while others have not found significant benefits. Further studies are needed to address the efficacy of long-term probiotic supplementation in the control of dental caries and the influence of probiotic supplementation during infancy on the risk of caries development.