ABSTRACT
Objective: To determine the effect of consuming L.reuteri probiotic lozenges on S.mutans virulence genes (gbpB, gtfB) in dental biofilms of fixed orthodontic patients. Method: Dental biofilm samples were obtained from 20 subjects before and after consuming 2x108 CFU/ml L.reuteri probiotic lozenges (Biogaia, Sweden), once daily for 14 days. RNA was extracted, cDNA was synthesized and subjected to Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) using specific primers for gbpB and gtfB genes of S.mutans. lepA gene was used as the housekeeping gene. Statistical analysis was performed using paired t-test with significance level of p<0.05. Results: Expression of gbpB genes were found to be significantly decreased (p<0.05) with fold change before (13.7±17.00) and after (0.46±0.34) consumption, as well as the expression of gtfB genes before (4.66±5.59) and after (0.62±0.35) consumption. Conclusion: Probiotic L. reuteri consumption may help reduce S.mutans virulence genes in dental biofilm of fixed orthodontic patients.
