Cronicon OPEN ACCESS EC DENTAL SCIENCE Review Article The Use of Probiotics in Prevention and Treatment of Oral Diseases Nader A Masarwa 1 *, Hind F Al-Nsour 2 , Haneen F Al-Awabdeh 3 and Khattar S Haddadin 4 1 Senior Specialist, JDB Conservative Dentistry, Royal Medical Services, King Hussein Medical City, Amman, Jordan 2 Senior Specialist, JDB Pediatric Dentistry, Royal Medical Services, King Hussein Medical City, Amman, Jordan 3 General Practitioner, Ministry of Health, Dental Department, Amman, Jordan 4 Consultant, Private Dental Practice, Amman, Jordan Citation: Nader A Masarwa., et al. “The Use of Probiotics in Prevention and Treatment of Oral Diseases”. EC Dental Science 17.10 (2018): 1783-1791. *Corresponding Author: Nader A Masarwa, Senior Specialist, JDB Conservative Dentistry, Royal Medical Services, King Hussein Medical City, Amman, Jordan. Received: August 23, 2018; Published: September 28, 2018 Abstract Objectives: The use of probiotics is in management and prevention of many systemic diseases is a well-known medical practice, while the use of probiotics in dentistry is not yet well recognized. The aim of this study is to present a review that describes the role of probiotics in prevention and management of oral diseases, including caries, periodontal diseases and other intra oral pathological conditions. Keywords: Probiotics; Symbiosis; Caries Prevention; Periodontal Diseases; Oral Diseases Introduction Humans are described as macro-species, who live in symbiosis with microbes which are described as micro-species; however, humans are defined as Holobionts while microbes are defined as Symbionts. The association between host and Symbionts affects the fitness of the Holobiont within its environment, and it often governs the physiological homeostasis of the balance between host well-being and dysfunction [1]. Lately, interest has been gained in probiotics and its role in prevention and/or treatment of oral diseases as well as its usefulness in many other medical fields. Probiotic science teaching is sometimes placed within non-traditional, complementary or alternative medicine, depending on the training programmes. Health professionals like chiropractors, naturopaths and herbalists routinely use products that contain probiotics in their practices. As a definition, the term probiotics was derived from the Greek words, meaning “for life” [16]. In 1960, Lilly and Stillwell introduced the word probiotics as “Substances produced by microorganisms that stimulate the growth of another”. Other researchers described Probiotics approach as the modification of a human microbiota by exogenous administration of microbial cells (or cell components), aimed at benefiting the host’s health [2]. In 1990 the term Prebiotics was introduced. It was defined as non-digestible food ingredients that beneficially affect the host by selectively stimulating the growth and/or activity of one or a limited number of bacterial species. The combination of both Prebiotic and Probiotic is known as symbiotic which is beneficial to oral health. Since then, several definitions had been proposed, but the currently used definition that is approved by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) in 2002 is; “Probitics are living microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit for the host” [3]. Data/Sources: The authors conducted searches through the following sources: Pub Med, Cochrane, and Researchgate. The used search terms were: probiotics, oral diseases, dental caries and periodontal diseases. No restrictions were made on language or date of publishing. Study Selection: Original articles discussing the use of probiotics in management and prevention of oral diseases including caries and periodontal diseases were selected for review in this study. A thorough review of each article was performed by the authors and a description of probiotics, mechanisms of action, and current uses of Probiotics as oral therapeutics, safety of use and future requirements are presented. Conclusion: As further research regarding the proper strains, doses and vehicles is needed, the use of probiotics in dental practice shows high potentials and is a promising treatment modality in management and prevention of various oral diseases. Studying oral microbiology is important for the prevention and treatment of oral pathosis along with other systemic diseases. With the slow progress of isolating new antibiotics coupled with the increase of emerging resistant pathogenic bacteria, it has become imperative to try and enhance the use of living therapeutics. Probiotics form the cornerstone of such biotherapy [4]. Bacteria in the oral cavity have access to the blood stream through gingival crevices, and have been identified as causative agents in a number of systemic diseases; as the association between periodontal diseases and cardiovascular diseases [5]. Also, glycemic control in diabetic patients is adversely affected by periodontal diseases [6]. In addition, studies have found that there is an increased risk for diabetes onset in patients with periodontitis [5]. Other researchers found a correlation between oral bacteria which can cross brain barrier, and Alzheimer’s disease [6].