ID number: jRCTs031220449; URL: https://jrct.mhlw.go.jp/en-latest-detail/jRCTs031220449 PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY: Gum disease is also known as periodontal disease. Gum disease is common worldwide and can lead to tooth loss if not treated early. In the early gingivitis stages, the gums turn red and easily bleed. In addition to regular dental visits, simple methods must be developed for preventing the progression of gum disease, such as methods for safely reducing gum inflammation without disturbing the normal bacteria in the mouth. We tested whether eating gummy candies containing heat-inactivated bacteria (Lactiplantibacillus pentosus ONRICb0240) (b0240GC) improved gum health. We asked 116 adults with mild gum inflammation to eat either b0240GC or placebo gummies twice daily for 6 weeks. The participants did not receive any special instructions for brushing or cleaning their teeth during the study period; therefore, the results reflected real-life conditions. We found that less gum bleeding was experienced by people in the b0240GC group than those in the placebo group at the end of the study, and their gums appeared healthier overall. These findings suggest that b0240GC is helpful for safely improving gum health in daily life.
Liu et al. (Sun,) studied this question.