The Effect of Probiotic Lactobacillus Reuteri Prodentis Consumption on Gingival Crevicular Fluid Inflammatory Response and Metagenomic Profiles of Oral Microbiome in Orthodontic Patients.

In this study, researchers will test the effectiveness of probiotic consumption against oral pathogenic bacteria and reduce the occurrence of gingival inflammation in subjects using orthodontic fixed appliances (braces). Lactobacillus reuteri is one of the probiotic bacteria that has been identified for its health benefits. L. reuteri produces antimicrobial substances, reuterin and reutericyclin which are active against wide range of pathogenic organisms. Previously, investigator performed a pilot study on the beneficial health effect of probiotic L. reuteri containing lozenges on a few orthodontic patients and it was proven that taking this probiotic for two weeks could significantly reduce the number of pathogenic bacteria in the patients' saliva. In vitro study showed that L. reuteri has the ability to modulate the inflammatory response such as TNF alpha and interleukins. However, The ability of L. reuteri in modulating the inflammatory response viz. Interleukin 1-beta, Interleukin 6, interleukin 8, interleukin 10, TNF alpha, MMP-9 and RANKL and effect on oral metagenomic microbiome profile in patients undergoing orthodontic treatment has not been previously investigated. Objective: 1. To evaluate the effect of consumption of L. reuteri Prodentis probiotic lozenges on the inflammatory response (inflammation) of gingival fluid. 2. To evaluate the effect of consumption of the probiotic lozenges of L. reuteri Prodentis against oral pathogens in dental plaque and saliva. Research Benefits: This study was conducted to observe the effectiveness of L. reuteri (ProDentis) probiotic against oral pathogenic bacteria on patients using orthodontic fixed appliance, to reduce gum inflammation and improve oral health.