Oral Probiotics: What Are the Secrets to a Healthier Mouth?

Did you know your body contains roughly the same amount of bacteria as it does human cells? These bacteria secrete substances that influence the health of the entire body. Some of these substances are beneficial, and some are not.

That's where probiotics come in: these microbes help maintain a healthy ratio of good bacteria to unwanted bacteria in your microbiome.

You are probably familiar with what probiotics can do for gut health and their far-reaching benefits, ranging from immune health to mental health.

You can also take oral health probiotics, which support healthy teeth and gums, help manage dental plaque and more. In addition to brushing and flossing and getting regular dental checkups, taking the right oral probiotic strains can take your oral health care routine to the next level.

What are oral probiotics, and how do they work?

Oral probiotics are specific strains of bacteria used to support a healthy oral microbiome, usually delivered in lozenges or tablets that dissolve in the mouth and are swallowed. They help good bacteria thrive in your mouth, which makes it harder for unwanted bacteria to dominate. They also encourage a healthy immune response in your mouth and throat.

The wellness of your teeth and gums, also called periodontal health, is closely tied to your immune system and overall well-being. Just as supporting a healthy gut with probiotics promotes whole-body health, encouraging good periodontal health through teeth brushing, flossing and quality oral probiotics has benefits for your whole body, too.

What are the key benefits of oral probiotics?

Specific strains of oral probiotics have been clinically studied to support oral health by:

• Promoting healthy teeth and gums
• Encouraging healthy gum tissue
• Fighting unwanted oral bacteria
• Helping manage dental plaque
• Supporting a healthy immune response

What are the best oral probiotic strains?

The best oral probiotics include the following strains:

1. Streptococcus salivarius BLIS M18.

   In double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trials, this probiotic strain:
• Supported a healthy local immune response and better oral cleanliness compared with placebo.
• Helped manage dental plaque and maintain healthy oral pH balance.
• Supported a healthy balance between good bacteria and bad bacteria in the mouth, where bacteria form biofilms on teeth and gums.

2. Lactobacillus plantarum Immuno LP20 (heat-treated).

   Although not technically a probiotic but rather a postbiotic, this heat-treated non-living strain has effects on immune health and oral health. In placebo-controlled studies, this postbiotic:
• Promoted a healthy immune response in the upper respiratory system, even when the participants were under stress, at 50 mg daily.
• Supported healthy gum tissue in a 12-week controlled study.

How to choose the right oral probiotic

Now that you know what strains to look for, here's how to make sure the probiotic you're buying contains the right ingredients and formulation:

• Check that the product label names the probiotic strains or postbiotics included. Transparency in labeling helps you to match the strain with scientific evidence.
• The product should specify the oral health benefits of each strain it contains, either on the label or in the product literature online, and reference human research.
• Note the type of organism. Some formulas contain live microbes, while postbiotics are heat-treated preparations. Sometimes, the product will include both.
• Pay attention to the form. Lozenges that dissolve in the mouth or are chewed and swallowed are designed for oral health, while capsules target the gut.

How to take oral probiotics for the best results

Just as there is a right and wrong way to brush your teeth, there is a right and wrong way to take oral probiotics. Follow these tips:

1. Choose the right type.

   Oral probiotics work best as lozenges or dissolving tablets that are chewed and swallowed. This formulation allows the probiotics to spend more time in contact with teeth, gums and saliva, which is where you want the good bacteria to live.

2. Make it part of your oral care routine.

   Follow label directions, but a good practice is to take it after brushing and flossing your teeth at night.

3. Be consistent.

   Probiotics and postbiotics work with your daily oral care habits. The benefits are only evident when the probiotic is taken consistently for at least several weeks.

What's the difference between oral probiotics and gut probiotics?

It's easy to compare oral (or dental) probiotics versus gut probiotics. Both types of probiotics are an essential part of a wellness routine, but they are not interchangeable.

FAQs

Are oral probiotics okay for daily use?

Yes. Read the label, then take as directed. Daily use, especially in conjunction with daily teeth brushing and flossing, helps maintain a healthy oral environment. Because these supplements work with the oral microbiome, consistent use can help maintain a daily balance of good bacteria to harmful bacteria.

Do oral probiotics really help?

Oral probiotics have been studied for oral health, and specific strains show support for healthy gum tissue and dental plaque management in randomized trials, as well as immune health support. Read the supplement label and choose dental probiotic strains that are named and well-studied.

Can I take oral and gut probiotics together?

Yes. Oral and gut probiotics target different areas of the body and can both be a part of a healthy lifestyle routine. Use a mouth lozenge for oral health, and a capsule for gut support.

Can oral probiotics replace flossing your teeth?

No. Oral probiotics are not a substitute for brushing, flossing, or routine cleanings. But, oral probiotics can enhance your oral care routine when taken regularly.

References

• Babina K, et al. "Antigingivitis and Antiplaque Effects of Oral Probiotic Containing the Streptococcus salivarius M18 Strain: A Randomized Clinical Trial." Nutrients. September 2023. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37764667/
• Babina K, et al. "A Three-Month Probiotic (the Streptococcus salivarius M18 Strain) Supplementation Decreases Gingival Bleeding and Plaque Accumulation: A Randomized Clinical Trial." Dentistry Journal. July 2024. https://www.mdpi.com/2304-6767/12/7/222
• Hirose Y, et al. "Daily intake of heat-killed Lactobacillus plantarum L-137 augments acquired immunity in healthy adults." J Nutr. December 2006. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17116721/
• Hirose Y, et al. "Oral intake of heat-killed Lactobacillus plantarum L-137 decreases the incidence of upper respiratory tract infection in healthy subjects with high levels of psychological stress." J Nutr Sci. December 2013. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25191589/
• Iwasaki K, et al. "Daily Intake of Heat-killed Lactobacillus plantarum L-137 Decreases the Probing Depth in Patients Undergoing Supportive Periodontal Therapy." Oral Health Prev Dent. 2016. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27175447/
• Srinivasan M, et al. "Comparing the Effect of Probiotic Streptococcus Salivarius K12 and M18 on the Streptococcus mutans Count, Salivary pH and Buffer Capacity: A Randomized Double Blinded Clinical Trial." Cumhuriyet Dental Journal. January 2022. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/357537352_COMPARING_THE_EFFECT_OF_PROBIOTIC_STREPTOCOCCUS_SALIVARIUS_K12_AND_M18_ON_THE_STREPTOCOCCUS_MUTANS_COUNT_SALIVARY_PH_AND_BUFFER_CAPACITY_A_RANDOMIZED_DOUBLE_BLINDED_CLINICAL_TRIAL
• "Probiotics." National Institutes of Health. March 2025. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Probiotics-HealthProfessional/