OBJECTIVE

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of the probiotic bacterium Lactobacillus reuteri on the levels of salivary mutans streptococci and lactobacilli in children with cleft lip/palate who used the novel drop containing L. reuteri.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study group consisted of 19 operated cleft lip/palate children aged 4 to 12 years. The study had a double-blind, randomized crossover design, and the experimental period consisted of four consecutive time periods. During periods 2 and 4, consisting of 25 days each, parents were instructed that their children should consume 5 drops per day (0.15 to 0.20 g) of probiotic or placebo drops produced by the same manufacturer. The probiotic drop, BioGaia Reuteri drops, contained L. reuteri DSM 17938 and L. reuteri ATCC PTA 5289 (≥1 × 10(8) CFU/5 drops). The counts of salivary mutans streptococci and lactobacilli were evaluated using the CRT tests. The data were processed with NCSS 2007 software using chi-square and McNemar tests.

RESULTS

There was no statistically significant (p > .05) reduction of salivary mutans streptococci and lactobacilli after 25 days of consumption of both drops.

CONCLUSIONS

The novel drop containing L. reuteri may not reduce the levels of salivary mutans streptococci and lactobacilli in cleft lip/palate children.