Probiotics from fermented tapioca could be the answer to treat periodontal pathogens, study reveals

21 Sep 2022 --- Tapioca-derived probiotics have the potential to be used as a supportive oral health treatment, especially against a periodontal pathogen, P. gingivalis. This is according to results published in the journal Oral Biology.

The study characterized two lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolated from local Malaysian fermented tapioca. The strains identified as Lactobacillus brevis FT6 and Lactobacillus plantarum FT12 were screened for their antimicrobial susceptibility and anti-biofilm formation properties and characterized for their probiotic potential.

Periodontitis or periodontal disease is a serious dental problem which affects around 50% of adults and adolescents in developing countries. It is caused by a pathogenic invasion, leading to the deterioration of the gums and subsequently the loss of tooth. This condition begins with the inflammation of the gingival tissue and progresses to its recession.

“To protect against the recolonization of P. gingivalis after mechanical treatments, a few established antibiotics and antibacterial mouthwash are administered to inhibit the pathogen. There are a few drawbacks of the current antimicrobial treatments. They stain the tooth surface and reduce palatal sensitivity by chlorhexidine and antibiotics,” the researchers flag.

“Moreover, the biofilm formed by P. gingivalis with other periodontal pathogens reduces the efficiency of antibiotics treatment.”

Probiotics for the gums
Fundamental research on probiotics has led to the development of a few strains that are now being tested in clinical trials to assist in the treatment of various dental issues.

P. gingivalis is the keystone periodontal pathogen that shifts the balance of oral microbiota and eventually disrupts the regulation of the immune response pathway.

Periodontitis or periodontal disease is a serious dental problem which affects around 50% of adults and adolescents in developing countries.“Probiotics are a promising alternative to improve oral health, especially in gingival and periodontal disease management,” the researchers say.

“[They] reportedly have anti-biofilm properties and can disrupt the complex bacteria-to-bacteria communication.”

Probiotics have been shown to treat or prevent various types of conditions such as allergies, digestive problems, pathogen infections, and in some cases chronic liver diseases and diabetes.

The application of probiotics as an adjuvant therapy to non-surgical treatment such as scaling and root planing for periodontal patients has been studied and a few of the studies recorded positive outcomes such as reduction of periodontal pathogens and clinical improvements.

Antimicrobial mechanism
The cytoplasmic membrane of bacterial cells is neutralized by antimicrobial activity, causing it to rupture and interfere with the communication between pathogens.

“The production of potent antimicrobial materials that can disrupt the biofilm proved that the LAB cell-free supernatant isolated from fermented foods is very competent at combating the colonization and biofilm formulation of P. gingivalis,” the researchers inform.

“There is also a possibility that the metabolites produced by the isolated probiotics could affect cell wall synthesis, cell metabolism and cell attachments.”

Edited by Radhika Sikaria