Potent oral health benefits and teeth bleaching effects of Latilactobacillus sakei THY-B1 isolated from broccoli.

The study aims to examine the rising social interest in optimizing oral health and teeth bleaching outcomes using lactic acid bacteria, driven by the increasing demand for sustaining a healthy diet and social relationships in later life. This in vitro study evaluates the antibacterial activity of selected LAB via disc diffusion and microdilution methods. Plaque formation and dental caries prevention were assessed using violet biofilm staining, scanning electron microscopy, acid production assays, glycosyltransferase, and enzymatic assays. Teeth bleaching effects were tested by treating black tea-stained artificial teeth with Lactobacillus sakei THY-B1 (L. sakei THY-B1) supernatant for two weeks. L. sakei THY-B1 effectively inhibited biofilm formation at 1.56 mg/mL for S. mutans by disrupting cell walls, reducing acid production, and inhibiting glucosyltransferase activity through the generation of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2 produced at 64.25 μM concentration per 1 g/mL CFS) and organic acids. The CFS of THY-B1 significantly reduced inflammatory markers, decreasing NO production by 22.4 % and suppressing key cytokines (IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α) by 27.1-52.6 % in PDLF cells. Additionally, the treatment inhibited collagen-degrading MMPs (MMP-3/-8/-9/-13) by up to 44.9 %, suggesting protective effects against periodontal tissue damage. At its minimum inhibitory concentration, L. sakei THY-B1 demonstrated a superior bleaching effect compared to 3 % commercial H2O2, with a whiteness index 105.06 % higher than H2O2 after the first week of treatment. These findings suggest that L. sakei THY-B1 is a promising probiotic for oral health, offering both therapeutic advantages in managing oral pathogens and aesthetic bleaching benefits in teeth whitening. The promising results of L. sakei THY-B1 suggest its potential for integration into dental care protocols. This probiotic could enhance caries prevention and serve as a natural alternative for tooth bleaching, aligning with the growing patient preference for multifaceted and biocompatible therapeutic options.