Your mouth is a microbiome where bacteria thrive. Normally, these communities of probiotics for dental health | Hyperbiotics live in balance, but the wrong foods, antibiotics, smoking or poor oral hygiene can weaken them. This can result in harmful bacteria living out of balance and causing gum disease or bad breath.
Oral probiotics can protect against tooth decay, plaque buildup and gum disease.
They may also help reduce bad breath by inhibiting the growth of odor-causing bacteria. They’re available in lozenges, chewable tablets or supplements and some toothpastes contain them.
Breaking Down the Science: How Dental Probiotics Work to Combat Bad Breath
One of the most studied strains of dental probiotic is Streptococcus salivarius, known as K12. It lives close to your gums and on the surface of your tongue (an ideal home for VSC-producing bacteria).
The research suggests that this S. salivarius probiotic helps prevent halitosis by reducing the number of bacteria that cause it. In fact, a study of participants who received K12 probiotic lozenges for one week showed that they had significantly reduced VSC counts in their mouths.
Unlike some other oral probiotics, this one doesn’t just fight bacteria that produce foul breath, it kills them. It releases two different lantobiotics, which are chemicals that inhibit the growth of gram-negative bacteria.
It’s a good idea to talk with your dentist about whether dental probiotics are right for you. They can recommend the best type and help you choose a product that works for you.
The benefits of probiotics can extend beyond the mouth and into your overall health, but they’re best taken with a balanced diet. Fermented foods like sauerkraut, kimchi and probiotic yogurt, as well as fermented beverages like kombucha and kefir are easy to add to your diet.