Clinical trial supports BLIS M18’s oral health benefits

29-Jan-2015 - Last updated on 29-Jan-2015 at 15:21 GMT

Lozenges containing Streptococcus salivarius M18, branded as BLIS M18, for 30 days resulted in significant improvements in multiple measures of periodontal health, says a new study from India.

Scientists from the AJ Institute of Dental Sciences in Mangalore report that the BLIS lozenges were associated with improvements in plaque scores, measures of gingivitis, and gum bleeding.

In addition, the improvements were lost upon stopping the 28 day probiotic intervention, according to results published in the International Journal of Pharma and Bio Sciences.

“The results show that probiotic lozenges were efficacious in reducing both moderate to severe gingivitis and moderate periodontitis,” wrote the researchers.

BLIS

BLIS is one of the best known probiotics for oral health, and was developed by scientists at the University of Otago in New Zealand. It is a specific strain of Streptococcus salivarius (S. salivarius), which secretes powerful antimicrobial molecules called BLIS: Bacteriocin-Like-Inhibitory Substances.

There are different BLIS ingredients available, including K12 and M18. A spokesperson for Stratum Nutrition, which distributes the probiotics in the US, previously explained that the primary difference between K12 and M18 are the health function or indications. “While both BLIS probiotic strains start to work in the mouth – K12 supports ENT/immune health and M18 supports dental health,” said the spokesperson.

BLIS M18 works through multiple mechanisms to inhibit the growth of bacteria such as S. mutans, said the company, which is involved in the development of dental caries.

Study details

The Indian scientists recruited 28 people aged between 20 and 60 with varying degrees of poor periodontal health. The volunteers were assigned to a control group or to the BLIS group (two BLIS M18 lozenges per day; one in the morning and one at night after brushing) 30 days.

Results showed that statistically greater dental and periodontal health benefits were observed in the BLIS M18 probiotic group for all parameters at the end of the probiotic intervention period (30 days) when compared to the control group.

‘Potentially useful’

“This study concludes that Streptococcus salivarius M18 may be potentially useful as an aid in improving the oral health of periodontal patients,” wrote the researchers.

“Further studies including microbial analysis need to be performed to confirm the initial findings of this report. The effect of probiotics on different strata’s of Indian society and the survivability of Streptococcus salivarius M18 bacteria in different climatic conditions such as that found in India, also need to be further probed.”

Source: International Journal of Pharma and Bio Sciences
Volume 6, Number 1, Pages 242-250, doi:
“Probiotics in Periodontal Therapy”
Authors: L. Scariya, et al.