Dental whitening effect of an oral probiotic

Aim: Oral care probiotics that incorporate hydrogen peroxide-producing strains of Streptococcus oralis may represent an effective means of naturally whitening teeth, when whitening is indicated. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the cosmetic benefit (“whitening effect”) of a laboratory culture of S. oralis strain KJ3® and further investigate its mechanism of action. Methods: Ceramic discs were stained with several agents and subsequently treated with live suspension of peroxide-producing bacterial cultures over a period of 4 weeks. Colorimetric changes in the lightness value of the stained ceramic disks were measured at weekly intervals during the treatment phase. Results: At the conclusion of the 4-week experimental period, a statistically significant whitening effect was observed from the 2-week point through week 4. The whitening effect was influenced by the presence of glucose and/or catalase in the incubation medium. Interestingly, this whitening effect observed did not plateau at four weeks, indicating that maximum dental whitening effect of the S. oralis strain had not occurred within the timeframe of the study. Conclusion: The results obtained herein support the hypothesis that a S. oralis strain may be able to significantly lighten stained dental ceramic disks, which may provide scientific support to the whitening effect of commercially available probiotic formulations that include S. oralis KJ3®. Correspondence to: Martin Handfield, MS, PhD, Oragenics, Inc. 13700 Progress Blvd., Alachua, FL 32615, USA, Tel: 386-418-4018 ext. 241; Fax: 386-418-1660; E-mail: [email protected]