You may have heard that probiotics are good for digestion. Some studies have even suggested that these bacteria – found naturally in the human gut – can help increase immune function. What you may not know is that in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study, probiotics were found to increase the efficacy of periodontal treatment by 53 percent.
In this study, probiotics, specifically Lactobacillus reuteri, were administered to patients with chronic periodontitis. Those given the probiotics saw a reduction in gum disease identical to those given antibiotics, and at a significantly higher rate than those given a placebo. Finding probiotics as useful as antibiotics in treating gum disease is encouraging indeed, as probiotics are found naturally in the body and have no known side-effects.
Beaverton dentist Dr. Michael Negru offers treatments for all forms of gum disease. If you are suffering from gum disease, Dr. Negru would be happy to discuss the benefits of adding a probiotic supplement to your diet or increasing your intake of foods that contain Lactobacillus such as yogurt and kefir as a complement to your professional periodontal treatments.
If you are noticing symptoms of gum disease such as bleeding or swollen gums, please contact Bright Smile Dental Care to schedule an appointment today. Our dentist serves Beaverton, Aloha, and surrounding areas of Oregon.
