Effect of a daily dose ofLactobacillus brevisCD2 lozenges in high caries risk schoolchildren

ObjectivesA double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled clinical trial was performed to validate the hypothesis that the use of lozenges containingLactobacillus brevisCD2 (Inersan®, CD Investments srl) may reduce plaque pH, salivary mutans streptococci (ms) and bleeding on probing, during a 6-week period, in a sample of high caries risk schoolchildren.MethodsA total of 191 children (aged 6–8 years), presenting two to three carious lesions and a salivary ms concentration of ≥105CFU/ml, were enrolled and divided into two groups, anL. brevisCD2 lozenge group and a noL. brevislozenge group, and examined at baseline (t0), after 3 weeks (t1), after 6 weeks of lozenge use (t2) and 2 weeks after the cessation of lozenge use (t3). Plaque pH was assessed using the microtouch technique following a sucrose challenge. The area under the curve (AUC5.7 and AUC6.2) was recorded. Salivary ms were counted, and bleeding on probing was assessed.ResultsAt t0, the plaque-pH and ms concentration values were similar in both groups. Mean areas (AUC5.7 and AUC6.2) were significantly greater in the control group at t1, t2and t3.L. brevisCD2 lozenges significantly reduced salivary ms concentrations and bleeding. The subjects from the test group showed a statistically significant decrease (p=0.01)in salivary ms concentration. At t2, a statistically significantly lower bleeding value was recorded in the test group compared with the control group (p=0.02).ConclusionsSix weeks’ use of lozenges containingL. brevisCD2 had a beneficial effect on some important variables related to oral health, including a reduction in plaque acidogenicity, salivary ms and bleeding on probing.