Lactobacillus reuteri in bovine milk fermented decreases the oral carriage of mutans streptococci

The effect of Lactobacillus reuteri against one of the major cariogenic organism, Streptococcus mutans, was studied. Yogurt products containing L.reuteri showed a significant growth inhibitory effect against S. mutans, whilst yoghurts with lactobaccilli other than L. reuteri did not show such inhibition. Further, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial demonstrated that consuming yogurt with L reuteri significantly reduced the oral carriage of mutans streptococci, compared with the placebo yogurt. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. rights reserved.