Lactobacillus Salivarius for Dental And Oral Health

Research suggests that higher levels of Lactobacillus salivarius in saliva may be associated with better resistance to respiratory tract infections, with one feasibility study finding that individuals who remained healthy during an observation period had notably greater oral microbial diversity and higher baseline levels of this bacterium compared to those who went on to develop symptoms. Studies in this area are currently limited to a single small observational study conducted with healthy adults in the UK, which compared microbiome profiles between those who did and did not develop respiratory illness. The available evidence is preliminary and exploratory rather than confirmatory, and the study's small sample size, along with disruptions from the pandemic period, means firm conclusions cannot be drawn. More rigorous and larger studies, including controlled trials, would be needed before any meaningful claims about the role of Lactobacillus salivarius in oral or respiratory health could be established.