Lactobacillus reuteri for oral health

Carlos Sánchez 10 min. of reading For the Intestinal Flora Leave a comment

They are considered live microorganisms taken as probiotics to recover, care for, or maintain digestive health. This lactic acid bacteria has a particularly positive effect, especially for the digestive health of babies and young children.

Index

1 What is lactobacillus reuteri?
2 Properties of lactobacillus reuteri
3 Benefits of lactobacillus reuteri
4 Effects of Lactobacillus reuteri on healthy gums and plaque reduction
5 Lactobacillus reuteri for babies
6 Lactobacillus reuteri and Helicobacter Pylori
7 Lactobacillus reuteri in foods
8 Side effects of lactobacillus reuteri
9 Bibliographic Sources
10 Related links on the topic:

What is lactobacillus reuteri?

It’s a type of bacteria for the intestinal tract currently used as a probiotic, both in adults and kids.

The good microorganisms living in the gut decrease in number due to antibiotics, daily stress, diet changes, or even lack of physical exercise. This causes an imbalance in the digestive system and, in turn, leads to issues like stomach aches or food intolerances.

Taking probiotics that include lactobacillus reuteri helps balance the digestive health of the body.

A lactic acid bacteria that’s becoming rarer

For millions of years, the bacteria Lactobacillus reuteri lived in the healthy human gut. In the 1960s, lactic acid probiotic bacteria could still be found in the intestines of 30 or 40% of the population. Today, only between 10 and 20% of people have this beneficial gut bacteria.

Gabriela Sinkiewicz, a researcher at Malmö University (Sweden), studied the role of Lactobacillus reuteri in the human body and concluded that its loss in the digestive system is a consequence of today’s unhealthy lifestyle.

“Nowadays, we no longer eat fermented foods like sauerkraut, and instead use artificial preservatives that kill bacteria not only in the food itself but also in our intestines.”

On top of that, excessive antibiotic use also has a destructive effect on Lactobacillus reuteri.

Properties of lactobacillus reuteri

Known as one of the ‘friendly’ bacteria in the body, they help break down food in the stomach. They also help absorb nutrients into the bloodstream and eliminate waste or elements that don’t positively contribute to the body.

Produces lactic acid that lowers fatty acids and intestinal pH.
Inhibits E. Coli by producing reuterin.
As a strain (clinical trial in humans), it’s classified as evidence A in managing acute diarrhea.
Safe for kids and people with diabetes.

There are many functions that different probiotic strains perform. Click and find out.

Benefits of lactobacillus reuteri

As mentioned, lactobacillus reuteri is a strain, which means, besides having proven benefits in humans, it’s a unique probiotic. Not all probiotics act the same just because they’re probiotics. Each treatment works based on its recognized and published effects.

Improves digestive health.
Boosts intestinal defenses.
Balances the microbiota.

Constipation

Taking lactobacillus probiotics can reduce constipation symptoms. Also stomach discomfort and pain, bloating, and incomplete bowel movements.

Each treatment could also increase bowel movement frequency in some people.

For this, specialists recommend taking lactobacillus reuteri for four to eight weeks.

Traveler’s intestinal issues

Taking lactobacillus reuteri can improve traveler’s diarrhea. This happens when unfamiliar bacteria attack the intestinal tract of people on trips or travels.

The reuteri probiotic won’t act the same against all bacteria encountered during travel, so its effect may vary.

Preventing antibiotic-associated diarrhea

Various studies have shown that taking probiotics with only lactobacillus reuteri can prevent diarrhea caused by antibiotics in the intestinal tract.

Most studied strains seem to reduce diarrhea risk in about 60% to 70% of cases.

This analysis was done within the first two days of antibiotic use and continued for about three days after stopping them.

Effects of Lactobacillus reuteri on healthy gums and plaque reduction

Sinkiewicz’s studies focused on Lactobacillus reuteri’s effects on digestion and oral health. She noted its presence significantly reduces the risk of gingivitis. Dental plaque formation is notably reduced when this lactic acid bacteria is present.

“Numerous studies show Lactobacillus reuteri is very effective and has considerable benefits for oral health.”

Her studies, published in a Swedish journal in 2006, showed that taking Lactobacillus reuteri for two weeks can stop plaque and gingivitis. The study involved 59 patients with moderate or severe gingivitis, who received either this probiotic or a placebo.

Participants also received detailed instructions on proper oral hygiene. These measures improved gingivitis in the placebo group but didn’t affect plaque.

In the group taking Lactobacillus reuteri, gingivitis improved significantly compared to placebo. Also, plaque decreased. The takeaway is that high-quality probiotics, like lactobacillus reuteri, are vital for keeping gums and teeth healthy and beautiful.

Lactobacillus reuteri for babies

In recent years, studies have shown how microbiota disturbances in early life lead to chronic and acute gastrointestinal diseases. That’s why giving babies probiotics with lactobacillus reuteri strengthens intestinal defenses is essential during early ages and infancy.

Benefits studied include:

Gastric motility
Food tolerance
Bowel habits

A study on 3,000 infants showed intestinal syndromes during this period are:

Regurgitation, in 23.1%.
Infant colic, in 20.5%.
Constipation, in 17.6%.
Vomiting, in 6%.
Diarrhea, in 4.1%.

Colic in babies

Research shows giving lactobacillus reuteri to breastfed babies can reduce daytime crying

The study points out lactobacillus is more effective at reducing crying than the medication simethicone. Babies in the study may have had stronger colic episodes than those in earlier research stages.

Diarrhea

Giving lactobacillus reuteri to babies and children aged one to 36 months upon hospital admission seems to reduce diarrhea risk. Also, this probiotic may lower diarrhea risk in all malnourished children.

Breast milk and Lactobacillus reuteri

Gabriela Sinkiewicz was among the first scientists to study Lactobacillus reuteri content in breast milk. In 2008, she published a study in the journal ‘Microbial Ecology, Health and Disease’ measuring Lactobacillus reuteri levels in breast milk from 220 women across seven countries on different continents (Sweden, Peru, Denmark, Israel, South Africa, South Korea, and Japan).

She found participants from rural areas had higher Lactobacillus reuteri levels in their breast milk than women from urban areas. Overall, only 15% of mothers had enough.

“Only one in seven women has beneficial lactic acid bacteria in their breast milk. It’s striking that breast milk from women in Japan and Korea has comparatively higher Lactobacillus reuteri levels than women from other countries.”

Another study published September 3, 2009, in the Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition showed mothers can increase Lactobacillus reuteri levels in breast milk and their baby’s stool by taking a high-quality probiotic that also includes Lactobacillus reuteri.

Lactobacillus reuteri and Helicobacter Pylori

Helicobacter pylori is a bacteria causing stomach infections. It can be contracted through contaminated water and food. It may cause serious stomach ulcers that disrupt digestive system balance.

Various studies and field research have shown that taking lactobacillus reuteri along with clarithromycin, amoxicillin, and a proton pump inhibitor (triple therapy) can help eliminate ulcers caused by H. pylori

Likewise, taking lactobacillus reuteri alone doesn’t have the same effect on imbalances caused by Helicobacter pylori bacteria.

Lactobacillus reuteri in foods

Lactobacillus reuteri is passed from mothers to children through breast milk, creating balance in babies’ digestive systems during their first years

However, as we’ve seen, early ages require close monitoring of digestive health changes to prevent acute and chronic intestinal diseases.

Nowadays, most lactobacillus derivatives, including lactobacillus reuteri, can be found in foods, mainly in dairy products

You can learn all about another effective probiotic like Lactobacillus helveticus. Click the link.

Side effects of lactobacillus reuteri

When consumed within manufacturers’ recommendations, there shouldn’t be real risks of side effects from lactobacillus reuteri.

The most it might cause within normal intake levels is stomach bloating or excessive gas

As always, we recommend consulting your doctor or specialist before starting this probiotic.

Interactions with lactobacillus reuteri

You should be careful combining this supplement with antibiotics. It can limit lactobacilli effects in the body. That’s why specialists recommend taking them two hours before or after antibiotics