Inhibitory effect of Lactobacillus paracasei subsp. paracasei NTU 101 on rat dental caries

•We investigated the antimicrobial activity of probiotic lactobacilli.•We evaluated the effects of probiotic lactobacilli on cariogenic bacteria.•The growth of cariogenic bacteria was decreased.•The caries scores were significantly lowered in animal caries model.•We report an anti-caries function of probiotic lactobacilli. The aim of this study was to evaluate the Streptococcus mutans counts and erosion of the dental enamel after the application of Lactobacillus paracasei subsp. paracasei NTU 101 and fermented skim soy milk. Several studies have found that probiotics and their fermented products can be a good therapeutic alternative to nonspecific mechanical plaque removal or the application of broad-spectrum antibiotics. In this study, L. paracasei subsp. paracasei NTU 101 and fermented skim soy milk displayed antibacterial activity against several microorganisms. In animal experiments, these agents significantly reduced oral S. mutans counts from 105 to 102 (p