Probiotics are live microorganisms which are dietary supplements that when administered in adequate amounts confer wide range of health benefits. Since, probiotics are now widely used in both medical (such as cancer risk reduction, gastrointestinal tract health, and urinary tract health) and dental specialties (reduction in caries development, in achieving periodontal health, reducing oral malodor, etc.), a thorough knowledge of their risks and benefits are mandatory. Evidence now suggests that probiotics may function not only by direct inhibition of pathogenic micro-organisms, but also by more subtle mechanisms including modulation of the mucosal immune system. Little attention has been paid to the identification of beneficialoral bacterial species. Probiotic technology represents a breakthrough approach to maintaining oral health by using natural beneficial bacteria to provide a natural defense against the pathogenic bacterial species. This review endeavors to introduce the concepts of probiotics in periodontics.

probiotics, periodontal therapy, beneficial bacteria, novel therapy