Periodontist Dr. Sanda Moldovan explains how oral probiotics reduce harmful bacteria like Streptococcus mutans and lower inflammation in the mouth. Patient Bridget Butler saw improvements in gum inflammation, breath, and tooth sensitivity after using a probiotic kit.
This is Eyewitness News now at war.
So we all know what probiotics do for your gut health. It turns out we now have probiotics for your mouth helping things like your nose, your throat and others. I'm Lori Corbin. Today on our Circle of Health, I'll tell you all about it.
Probiotics is a buzzword used to describe ingredients in everything from supplements to shots to shakes. It refers to good bacteria that could live in your gut and boost your overall health. And as the science evolves, there's more evidence that shows how probiotics can help fight bad bacteria, starting in your mouth. Lori Corbin takes a look at some oral probiotics in today's Circle of Health report.
Bridget Butler was suffering from inflamed gums, which led to bad breath and tooth sensitivity. So she sought the help of periodontist Dr. Sanda Moldovan for a nutritional and holistic approach.
I got a whole kit, a toothbrush that she designed, water pick that she also designed, also some breath mints that have probiotics in them that help fight the bad guys in your mouth.
Butler has a way to go, but she's made great strides, impressed at the effectiveness of the probiotics, which the doctor, who is also a nutritionist, created as a breath mint.
The mouth is the opening of the GI tract. Probiotics, especially the chewable kind for the mouth, can have an anti inflammatory reaction.
Dr. Moldovan says a certain type of bad bacteria can wreak havoc in the mouth.
There's a special bacteria called Streptococcus mutans, plus a few others that cause cavities. They basically produce an acid which dissolves the tooth that progresses with time. Yeast infections can grow also in the mouth based on this bacteria.
While there's over 500 species of bacteria, Dr. Moldovan points out, only a handful offer anti inflammatory effects against bad bacteria. People still need to brush properly, floss and eat healthful foods like apples, kombucha, yogurt, which can contain probiotics. Dr. Moldovan says her experience experience shows that taking the oral probiotic a few times a day has shown promise.
When we introduce a probiotic, it actually kicks off the bad bacteria and it forms a protective film around the teeth which doesn't allow cavity forming bacteria to connect.
And along with the bad bacteria in your mouth, these can also help with ear, nose and throat bacteria as well.
It will travel. It won't just stay in the mouth, it will travel to the nose and sinuses. We've seen a lower incidence of sinus infections for sure.
Lori Corbin, ABC7 Eyewitness News.
