Beneficial mouth bacteria helps infection: study

Bacteria in the mouth may offer probiotic potential against upper respiratory tract infections, according to a study in journal Applied and Environmental Microbiology. So far, the benefits of probiotics have been predominantly explored in the intestinal tract, however, other initial studies suggest probiotics may contribute to wellness in the stomach, vaginal tract, skin and mouth. Upper respiratory tract infections are the leading cause of visits to the pediatrician, especially in children between the ages of 5 and 12.

Bacteria newly isolated from the mouths of healthy volunteers were analyzed and two potential probiotic bacterial strains, Streptococcus salivarius RS1 and ST3, were identified. Following comparison with a recently developed oral probiotic prototype, S. salivarius strain K12, all three bound to human pharyngeal cells and antagonized S. pyogenes (the upper respiratory culprit) adhesion and growth. Additionally, all were sensitive to antibiotics routinely used for treating upper respiratory tract infections.

Steve - if we could use probiotics as treatment instead of antibiotics, that would be a much safer solution for the general population.