Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Lactobacillus salivarius is a probiotic bacterium that has been studied for its potential role in supporting oral health, including the management of canker sores (recurrent aphthous stomatitis, RAS). There is a limited but growing body of scientific evidence suggesting that certain probiotic strains, including L. salivarius, may help reduce the frequency and severity of canker sores. The proposed mechanism is based on the ability of probiotics to modulate the oral microbiome, enhance mucosal immunity, and inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacteria that may contribute to ulcer formation or persistence.

Several small clinical studies and pilot trials have indicated that oral administration of L. salivarius, either as lozenges or tablets, can lead to a reduction in the number and duration of canker sore episodes compared to placebo. For example, a randomized controlled trial published in Journal of Oral Pathology & Medicine (2017) found that daily supplementation with L. salivarius WB21 significantly reduced the number of new aphthous ulcers over a 3-month period. However, these studies often have small sample sizes and short follow-up periods, and not all have shown consistent benefit.

In summary, while there is emerging scientific validation for the use of L. salivarius in managing canker sores, the evidence remains preliminary, and larger, well-designed studies are needed before it can be recommended with strong confidence. As such, the quality of evidence supporting its use is currently moderate to low (rated 2/5).

More about lactobacillus salivarius
More about Canker Sores

Other ingredients used for Canker Sores

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Products containing lactobacillus salivarius

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