Application of probiotics for the treatment and prevention of oral diseases

Relevance. The concept of probiotic therapy is currently an emerging field in medicine, including dentistry. The oral microbiome plays a critical role in both systemic and local immune responses, as approximately 300 microbial species inhabit the oral environment, some of which are considered opportunistic pathogens and may contribute to various mucosal diseases. Numerous reports in both domestic and international literature have described the use of probiotics for the prevention and treatment of a wide range of gastrointestinal disorders. Increasing attention is now being paid to the role of probiotics in maintaining overall physiological balance, particularly within the oral environment. Accordingly, evaluating the effectiveness of probiotics as preventive agents in the management of oral diseases is becoming increasingly relevant. Objective. To analyze data from Russian and international literature published over the past decade and to provide an overview of the application of probiotics in dentistry. Materials and methods. A total of 80 publications (including original research articles, case series, and literature reviews) from the past 10 years were thoroughly analyzed to explore the application of probiotics in dental practice. The literature search was conducted using the PubMed, eLibrary, and Scopus databases. Key aspects under review included the clinical efficacy of probiotics in dentistry, mechanisms of action, microbial strains used in probiotic formulations, criteria for probiotic agents, their effects on immune function, and their role as adjunctive or preventive therapeutic modalities. Results. The application of probiotics for both the prevention and comprehensive management of oral diseases is gaining increasing recognition. Probiotics contribute to host protection by inhibiting pathogenic bacteria, neutralizing bacterial toxins, and reducing the impact of various harmful metabolites. Their beneficial effects are largely attributed to the production of antimicrobial compounds and their immunomodulatory activity. Additionally, probiotics enhance epithelial barrier function by modulating local and systemic immune-inflammatory signaling pathways. Conclusion. The use of probiotics or synbiotics as preventive agents supports the proper functioning of the immune system and reduces the risk of dental caries, halitosis, and exacerbations of periodontal diseases. Recent evidence confirms that these interventions contribute meaningfully to improved oral health outcomes.