FFECTS OF A FOOD ENRICHED WITH PROBIOTICS ON STREPTOCOCCUS MUTANS AND LACTOBACILLUS SPP. SALIVARY COUNTS IN PRESCHOOL CHILDREN: A CLUSTER RANDOMIZED TRIAL

Background and Aim: This study aimed to evaluate milk supplemented with probiotic bacteria and standard milk, measured by levels of Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) and Lactobacillus spp., in 3-4-year-old children after 9 months of intervention.Methods:The study was a triple-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial. The sample was composed of 400 preschoolers attending five child development centers in isfahan, Colombiairan. They were randomized to two groups: children in the intervention group drank 200 mL of milk with Lactobacillus rhamnosus 5x106 and Bifidobacteruim longum 3x106, and children in the control group drank 200 mL of standard milk. Interventions occurred on weekdays and information was gathered through scheduled clinical examination.Results:The primary result was the number of colony forming units (CFU) of S. mutans and Lactobacillus spp. in the saliva. Secondary results were dental caries, rated by the International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS), dental plaque, pH, and salivary buffer capacity. The proportion of S. mutans was lower in the intervention group compared with the control group after 9 months; however, the differences did not reach statistical significance (p=0.191); on the other hand, statistically significant differences between groups were found in the CFU/mL of Lactobacillus spp. (p=0.003). There was not statistically significant difference in the prevalence of dental caries for both groups (p=0.753). Differences between groups were found in the salivary buffering capacity (p=0.000).Conclusion:Regular consumption of milk containing probiotics bacteria reduced CFU/mL of Lactobacillus spp. and increased salivary buffering capacity at 9 months of consumption.

کلیدواژه ها:

probiotics ، Streptococcus mutans ، Lactobacillus spp ، preschool children