Probiotics: A New Approach to Oral Health

World Health Organization defines Probiotics as "Live microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host". A recent detailed definition of Probiotics: "A preparation or a product containing viable, defined microorganisms in sufficient numbers to alter the existing micro organisms". They are the microbial food supplements with beneficial effects on the consumers. Increase in antibiotic resistant infections due to overuse of antibiotics by physicians and in livestock industry to improve meat and dairy production, has prompted public and physicians to see safer ways to treat infections. As public health measures (vaccines, sanitary health care etc.) have lessened the worldwide threat of death from infectious diseases during the last few decades, we are confronted by an increase in immune mediated disease states (allergy and autoimmune diseases) thought to result from an inadequate exposure to colonizing microorganisms in children because of a more sterile environment (the "hygiene hypothesis"). For these reasons and strictly following the old adage of "Prevention is better than cure", an interest in the use of probiotics and prebiotics to stimulate host defences and to prevent/treat certain diseases has developed.