EFFECTIVENESS OF LACTOBACILLUS REUTERI PROBIOTICS ON THE DENTAL PLAQUE INDEX, SALIVARY PH, AND STREPTOCOCCUS MUTANS QUANTIFICATION OF PRESCHOOL STUNTED CHILDREN IN BANJAR CITY, WEST JAVA, INDONESIA
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Abstract
Stunting is a linear growth failure which can affect dental plaque, salivary pH, and Streptococcus mutans counts. Lactobacillus reuteri probiotics have benefit in preventing plaque formation, reducing S. mutans, and balancing salivary pH. This research evaluates the effectiveness of consuming Lactobacillus reuteri probiotics for 7 days on dental plaque index, salivary pH, and Streptococcus mutans quantification of preschool-stunted children. A total of 54 children aged 3-5 years in Banjar City participated in the research and were divided into 3 groups. The test and the negative control group each consisted of 18 stunted children, while the positive control group included 18 children with normal growth. Both test group and positive control groups were given dental health education (DHE) and L. reuteri probiotics lozenges for 7 days. In the process, the negative control group was administered only DHE. Dental plaque index, salivary pH, and S. mutans quantification were evaluated before and after intervention using Greene and Vermillion plaque index, litmus paper, and Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR). Moreover, T-test dependent and Wilcoxon signed-rank were performed to compare parameters. A significant difference in dental plaque index and S. mutans quantification was observed before and after consumption of L. reuteri probiotics lozenges for 7 days (P < 0.05). However, no significant changes were discovered in salivary pH (P > 0.05). Consuming L. reuteri probiotics for 7 days effectively reduced dental plaque index and S. mutans quantification of preschool-stunted children in Banjar City, West Java, Indonesia. This research has implications for the use of Lactobacillus reuteri as a simple intervention to improve oral health in stunted children. These findings may support caries prevention strategies in areas with high stunting prevalence and encourage further research with longer intervention durations.