Oral Probiotics: A Natural Solution for Halitosis Sufferers - Research Paper

Introduction

For those who suffer from halitosis, oral probiotics can offer a natural remedy. Halitosis, or bad breath, is often a persistent condition that many people have a hard time getting rid of. Individuals who suffer from halitosis usually resort to breath freshening or antibacterial products such as toothpaste, mouthwash, mints, or chewing gum. Such products only eliminate the problem temporarily because they do not deal with the real cause of bad breath. This paper looks into how the use of probiotics can prevent halitosis.

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Not many people who suffer from halitosis are aware why it occurs in the first place. Bad breath usually results from odor-producing bacteria found in the mouth. According to Benic et al. (2019), the presence of such bacteria is an indicator of an imbalance in a person's oral microbiome. This oral microbiome can be defined as a mouth's microbial environment. Conditions such as halitosis occur when the delicate balance of this environment is altered. Oral probiotics can assist in maintaining a natural and healthy balance of a person's oral microbiome.

About 90 percent of bad breath results from the presence of odor-causing bacteria in the mouth. Microbes found in the oral flora secrete substances known as VSCs (volatile sulfur compounds), which are the smelly elements that cause halitosis. The oral flora carries out numerous functions aimed at keeping gums and teeth healthy. For instance, probiotic bacteria play a role in digestion of food in the mouth and are responsible for acidity found there. They also handle the teeth's mineral balance as well as the mouth's immune balance. Probiotics also offer some protection by competing with any harmful bacteria species present. However, they are likely to lose these abilities if an imbalance occurs (Meurman & Stamatova, 2018).

Eliminating harmful bacteria requires the use of more than just mouthwash. This is where probiotics come in and offer a remedy for halitosis. Probiotics can repopulate the oral microbiome in a way that helps keep check on the imbalance. Such repopulation is usually the long-term of halitosis treatment. There are a number of ways in which oral probiotics work to deter or eliminate bad breath. For one, they thrive within oral tissues and thus prevent the growth of harmful bacteria species. Also, they secrete antibacterial substances that neutralize any detrimental bacteria. The probiotics also help the immune system initiate the proper response to odor-producing bacteria in the mouth.

A notable species of oral probiotics that can help combat halitosis is S. Salivarius. Its oral flora is made up of hundreds of species. Findings from research show that S. salivarius can be found in a person's body from an early age. The species has two strains- K12 and M18- that are quite helpful in eliminating bad breath. L. sarivarius is another species of oral probiotic that is found in the gastrointestinal tract and which is among those that release lactic acid. It boasts of numerous digestive benefits and seemingly has a positive impact on the immune system. L. sarivarius has also been proven to help fight halitosis while also acting as a remedy for bleeding gums (Bakarcic et al. 2017).

Oral probiotics are quite promising as natural remedies for halitosis. Bad breath should be perceived as resulting from an imbalance in a person's oral microbiome. To eliminate it, the individual needs to replace the beneficial microbes and not just do away with the harmful ones. An effective way of restoring the ideal balance in the oral microbiome is by using oral probiotics.

References

Bakarcic, D., Jokic, N. I., Hrvatin, S., Mikulicic, A., & Culav, T. (2017). The use of probiotics in dental medicine. Madridge J. Dent. Oral Surg, 1, 46-48.

Benic, G. Z., Farella, M., Morgan, X. C., Viswam, J., Heng, N. C., Cannon, R. D., & Mei, L. (2019). Oral probiotics reduce halitosis in patients wearing orthodontic braces: a randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Journal of breath research, 13(3), 036010.

Meurman, J. H., & Stamatova, I. V. (2018). Probiotics: evidence of oral health implications. Folia medica, 60(1), 21-29.