Antimicrobial and Anti-Inflammatory Oral Effects of Fermented Lingonberry Juice—A One-Year Prospective Human Intervention Study

Abstract

Objectives A 1-year prospective human intervention study was performed to examine the anticaries, anti-inflammatory, antiproteolytic, and antimicrobial effects of fermented lingonberry juice (FLJ), used as a mouthwash for a period of 6 months, followed by a 6-month washout period. Materials and Methods Twenty-five adults were recruited from private dental clinics in Helsinki and Joensuu (Finland). Standard oral examinations and sample gatherings were performed at base level, 6 months, and 1 year for oral Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans), Candida, and Lactobacilli levels, and active matrix metalloprotease-8 (aMMP-8) levels, and for decayed, missing, filled teeth (DMFT), decayed, missing filled surfaces (DMFS) and decayed surfaces (DS) indexes, and probing pocket depths (PPDs), bleeding on probing (BOP), and visible plaque index (VPI). FLJ was used by the participants once daily for 30 seconds for 6 months. FLJ contains 0.212% (w/v) polyphenols, 3% (w/ v) sugars, and contains no excipients. Ten milliliters of FLJ were equal to 1 dL of lingonberry juice. Statistical Analysis Statistical analyses were performed with nonparametric Friedman's test and pairwise post-hoc analysis with Dunn-Bonferroni test, SPSS (version 27; IBM) and p < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results The levels of S. mutans and Candida counts, DS, BOP, and VPI decreased significantly (p < 0.05) during the FLJ period. Lactobacilli counts increased significantly, while there was also significant difference in aMMP-8 levels, DMFT, and DMFS between the three measurement points. PPDs were not affected. Conclusions The specially formulated FLJ may have a positive decreasing effect on S. mutans, and Candida counts as well as decrease low-grade inflammation and proteolytic burden in the oral mucosa and periodontal tissues. The beneficial effects to the oral cavity of FLJ mouthwash may be useful among patients with oral diseases, such as dental caries, periodontitis and candidosis.

In Vitro Eradication of Planktonic, Saliva and Biofilm Bacteria Using Lingonberry Extract as a Photosensitizer for Visible Light Plus Water-Filtered Infrared-A Irradiation

“…Lactobacilli counts had increased significantly, while there was also a significant difference in aMMP-8 levels, decayed, missing, and filled teeth, and surfaces between the three measurement points. Probing pocket depths were, however, not affected [22]. An analysis of the subjective dry mouth sensation questionnaires revealed that FLJ had decreased symptoms of xerostomia.…”

Polyphenols in Oral Health: Homeostasis Maintenance, Disease Prevention, and Therapeutic Applications

“…A one-year prospective human intervention study used fermented lingonberry juice (FLJ) as a mouthwash for 6 months, followed by a 6-month washout period. FLJ efficiently reduced visible plaques, S. mutans, and Candida levels, as well as caries risk [59]. A randomized blinded clinical study with 60 healthy children of age 9-14 found that 0.5% Camellia sinensis extract exhibited antiplaque activity over the 2-week experiment period.…”

“…These studies reported higher attachment levels, reduced inflammation, and decreased bone loss when treated with polyphenolic compounds. It is suggested that the specially formulated FLJ mouthwash may help relieve mild inflammation and proteolytic burden in the oral mucosa and periodontal tissues [59]. A randomized clinical study in patients with periodontitis (stage III-IV) showed that combined use of PAC in MINST resulted in better clinical outcomes for moderate pockets.…”