Incorporation of exogenous lactic bacteria into the oral microflora

Abstract

Compositions for the prophylaxis or treatment of dental caries, dental plaque, and periodontal infection that include lactic bacteria that are not part of the resident microflora of the mouth, that are low acidifying, and that are capable of adhering directly to the pellicle of the teeth. The compositions are used in methods of treating or preventing dental caries, dental plaque, and periodontal infection.

1 - 10 . (canceled)  
     
     
         11 . A composition for preventing dental caries, dental plaque, and periodontal infection comprising one or more lactic bacteria that are not part of the resident microflora of the mouth selected from the group consisting essentially of acidifying lactic bacteria that adhere to the pellicle of the teeth that have been genetically modified to be low acidifying compared to resident microflora, low acidifying lactic bacteria that does not adhere to the pellicle of the teeth that has been genetically modified to adhere to the pellicle of the teeth, acidifying lactic bacteria that does not adhere to the pellicle of the teeth that has been genetically modified to be low acidifying compared to resident microflora and to adhere to the pellicle of the teeth, and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         12 . The composition of  claim 11 , wherein the lactic bacteria is present in an amount of 10 4  to 10 9  cfu/g in order to provide a pH of at least 5.5 when the composition is administered to the mouth of a human or animal.  
     
     
         13 . The composition of  claim 11 , wherein the lactic bacteria one or more of  Streptococcus thermophilus, Lactococcus lactis  subsp.  lactis , or  Lactococcus lactis  subsp.  lactis biovar diacetylactis.    
     
     
         14 . The composition of  claim 11 , wherein the lactic bacteria are selected from the strains CNCM I-1984, CNCM I-1985, CNCM I-1986, CNCM I-1987, and LMG P-18997.  
     
     
         15 . The composition of  claim 11 , wherein the lactic bacteria have optimal growth at a temperature of about 37° C.  
     
     
         16 . The composition of  claim 11 , wherein the lactic bacteria have been genetically modified to have improved adherence to the pellicle of the teeth by insertion of the X17390 gene, the X14490 gene, or the X53657 gene.  
     
     
         17 . The composition of  claim 11 , further comprising one or more of milk, fermented milk, milk derivatives, or bacteriocin.  
     
     
         18 . The composition of  claim 17 , wherein the bacteriocin is present in an amount of 0.00001 to 50 percent by weight of the composition.  
     
     
         19 . The composition of  claim 17 , wherein the milk derivative comprises one or more of a caseino-glycomacropeptide, micellar casein, fluorinated micellar casein, or renneted milk in an amount of at least about 0.1 percent by weight of the composition.  
     
     
         20 . The composition of  claim 11 , further comprising one or more of an oil soluble antioxidant in an amount of about 0.005 to 0.5 percent by weight of the composition and an abrasive.  
     
     
         21 . The composition of  claim 11 , in the form of a toothpaste, mouth rinse, gum, spray, beverage, candy, infant formula, ice cream, frozen dessert, sweet salad dressing, milk preparation, cheese, quark, yogurt, acidified milk, coffee cream, or whipped cream.  
     
     
         22 . A method for screening lactic bacteria capable of adhering to teeth comprising: 
 preparing monoclonal antibodies that recognize specific surface proteins of lactic bacteria strains that are capable of adhering to the teeth; and    screening lactic bacteria strains with the monoclonal antibody to identify the strains of lactic bacteria that adhere to teeth.