BioGaia Probiotic: What the Research Actually Says!!!

naytoghlo
Aug 8
4 min read

You’ve probably seen probiotics popping up everywhere — in yogurts, supplements, even face creams. And in dentistry, the spotlight often lands on BioGaia’s L. reuteri Prodentis, a minty lozenge marketed for healthier gums and fresher breath.

But does it actually work, or is this another “wishful thinking in a bottle” situation?

Let’s dive into the science :)

What Makes BioGaia Different?

Not all probiotics are created equal. Think of them like dental tools: a scaler is not a handpiece, and you can’t swap them mid-procedure and expect the same result.

BioGaia focuses on very specific strains of Lactobacillus reuteri:

DSM 17938 (Protectis) – mostly studied for gut health and infant colic.
ATCC PTA 5289 – more of the gum specialist in the family.

When combined, these strains make L. reuteri Prodentis — the formulation used in most of the oral health studies.

The Oral Health Evidence

If you’re looking for a probiotic that’s actually been tested in dental settings, BioGaia Prodentis has more receipts than most:

Gingivitis & Gum Inflammation
Multiple randomized controlled trials (RCTs) show that Prodentis can reduce bleeding on probing, plaque scores, and gingival inflammation — even without changing your brushing routine.
Peri-Implant Health
In implant patients, Prodentis improved gum parameters around implants and even reduced inflammatory markers in the crevicular fluid. Think of it as “microbial crowd control” in a high-rent district.
Halitosis
Some evidence shows reductions in volatile sulfur compounds (the molecules behind morning breath). It’s not a substitute for tongue cleaning — but it can give your breath a helpful backup crew.

Caries Risk: Can It Help Prevent Cavities?

This is where things get interesting — and a little more complicated.

Fewer Cavity-Causing Bacteria
Studies in both children and adults have shown that L. reuteri can temporarily reduce Streptococcus mutanslevels in saliva — one of the key bacteria linked to decay.
But… Not Proven to Stop Cavities
So far, we don’t have large, long-term trials showing that people using Prodentis actually develop fewer new cavities. Most research stops at “bacteria counts” rather than long-term DMFT (Decayed, Missing, Filled Teeth) outcomes.
Best Fit for High-Risk Cases
For patients with high decay risk — such as kids with elevated S. mutans, people with dry mouth, or those with special needs — Prodentis may be a reasonable adjunct to fluoride and diet control. Just don’t expect it to be a magic bullet.

Bottom line: BioGaia may help tilt the microbial balance toward a less cariogenic environment, but it’s still team captain Toothbrush & Fluoride that win the game.

Infant Colic & Gut Health

BioGaia Protectis (just DSM 17938) has been studied for breastfed infants with colic.

Results: Shorter crying times compared to placebo, especially when started early.
Formula-fed babies? Not as convincing.

Other potential gut benefits (like reducing diarrhea or reflux) are being studied, but the evidence is still patchy.

Where the Hype Needs Rinsing

Here’s the fine print:

Benefits are strain-specific — don’t expect results from “any probiotic” just because Prodentis works.
Claims outside of proven uses (e.g., boosting immunity, magical gut resets, random clickbait about “male enhancement”) are marketing, not medicine.
It’s a complement, not a replacement — you still need proper hygiene, diet control, and regular dental visits.

My Take

For gum health, peri-implant maintenance, and possibly bad breath? 👍 Worth recommending.
For breastfed infant colic? ✅ But only with pediatrician approval.
For cavity prevention? 🤷 Promising, but not a stand-alone solution.
For everything else? Needs more research.

In short: BioGaia Prodentis is one of the few probiotics in dentistry that isn’t just riding the wellness trend — it actually has clinical backup. It’s not a miracle mint, but it’s a smart add-on for certain patients.

Bottom Line for you

If you want to give your gums an extra layer of defense (and you’re okay with a daily lozenge), Prodentis is safe, pleasant-tasting, and backed by decent science.

Just remember — it’s your toothbrush and floss that do the heavy lifting.

Dr. Noor N. Ay Toghlo BSc DMD

References

Ince, G., et al. (2015). Clinical and microbiological effects of probiotic lozenges in the treatment of chronic periodontitis: a 1-year follow-up study. Journal of Clinical Periodontology, 42(4), 363–372. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcpe.12387
Tekce, M., et al. (2015). Clinical and microbiological effects of probiotic lozenges in the treatment of peri-implant mucositis: a randomized controlled trial. Journal of Periodontology, 86(7), 774–781. https://doi.org/10.1902/jop.2015.140612
Vivekananda, M. R., Vandana, K. L., & Bhat, K. G. (2010). Effect of the probiotic Lactobacilli reuteri containing lozenges in the treatment of chronic periodontitis: a randomized controlled trial. Journal of Periodontology, 81(11), 1789–1795. https://doi.org/10.1902/jop.2010.100321
Schlagenhauf, U., et al. (2016). Impact of probiotic lozenges on the severity of gingivitis: a randomized controlled trial. Journal of Clinical Periodontology, 43(7), 603–608. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcpe.12552
Savino, F., et al. (2007). Lactobacillus reuteri (American Type Culture Collection strain 55730) versus placebo in the treatment of infantile colic: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Pediatrics, 119(1), e124–e130. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2006-1222
Sung, V., et al. (2014). Probiotics to prevent or treat excessive infant crying: systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA Pediatrics, 167(12), 1150–1157. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapediatrics.2013.2572
Näse, L., et al. (2001). Effect of long-term consumption of a probiotic bacterium, Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, in milk on dental caries and caries risk in children. Caries Research, 35(6), 412–420. https://doi.org/10.1159/000047484
Caglar, E., et al. (2006). Effect of Lactobacillus reuteri-containing lozenges on salivary mutans streptococci and lactobacilli in orthodontic patients. Acta Odontologica Scandinavica, 64(5), 314–318. https://doi.org/10.1080/00016350600714479