Abstract

PROBIOTICS- A NEW MILEU IN PERIODONTICS

Betsy Thomas*, Meera Avadhani and Khandigae Mahalinga Bhat

Abstract

Periodontal diseases are chronic in nature with the potential to attack diverse age groups. Our understanding on periodontal disease etiology has undergone many transformations starting from the very old specific plaque hypothesis proposed by Bass & Johns in 1915 to the present ecological plaque hypothesis by P.D. Marsh in 1994. Today, though we are equipped with various treatment modalities, we still are being intimidated with disease recurrence. Now, the question is "Are we truly able to eliminate the causative bacteria present at the site with all these available options? " We are moving from pillar to post to address this problem. Why not let's search a medicine from our own kitchen in the form of fermented curds ? The answer is yes in the form of "Probiotics". The concept of probiotics seems logical as it highlights the age old saying which goes as "A Thorn can be taken out by a thorn". Similarly, probiotic therapy utilizes the beneficial microbiota to combat with the pathogenic ones. It was Elie Metchnikoff during the early 1900's made this observation that the Bulgarians who relied on the fermented foods, rich in specific microbiota lived a relatively longer and healthy life.

Keywords: Bacterial replacement therapy, prebiotics, designer probiotics, synbiotics.