Clinical effects of probiotics containing Bacillus species on gingivitis: a pilot randomized controlled trial.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE
Lactobacillus spp. and bifidobacteria are the most frequently used probiotics in oral health research. However, although probiotic effects have been suggested for other genera, such as bacilli, no trials are available to describe the effect of bacilli probiotics on gingivitis in humans. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the clinical effects of a bacilli-containing toothpaste, a mouthrinse and a toothbrush cleaner versus a placebo in patients with generalized gingivitis.


MATERIAL AND METHODS
In this double-blind placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial, nonsmoking, systemically healthy patients with generalized gingivitis were included. They used a placebo or an experimental probiotic Bacillus subtilis-, Bacillus megaterium- and Bacillus pumulus-containing toothpaste, mouthrinse and toothbrush cleaner for 8 wk. Primary outcome measures of interest were plaque and gingivitis index, and the secondary outcome measures were pocket probing depth and bleeding on probing.


RESULTS
Twenty male and 20 female patients were randomized over the two groups. All participants could be included in the final analysis. Although plaque and gingivitis indices were significantly reduced after 8 wk, no intergroup differences could be found at any time point. Also, for the secondary outcome measure, intragroup but no intergroup differences could be detected. No harm or unintended effects were reported by the patients after using the study products.


CONCLUSIONS
This study did not show any statistically significant differences between a placebo and a bacilli-containing toothpaste, mouthrinse and toothbrush cleaner on gingivitis parameters.
['Alkaya|B|B|', 'Laleman|I|I|http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9662-8238', 'Keceli|S|S|', 'Ozcelik|O|O|', 'Cenk Haytac|M|M|', 'Teughels|W|W|']
D000293:Adolescent D000328:Adult D001410:Bacillus megaterium D000069979:Bacillus pumilus D001412:Bacillus subtilis D003774:Dental Plaque Index D004311:Double-Blind Method D005260:Female D005888:Gingival Pocket D005891:Gingivitis D006801:Humans D008297:Male D010512:Periodontal Index D010865:Pilot Projects D019936:Probiotics D055815:Young Adult
probiotics Bacillus gingivitis oral hygiene