Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) for Dental Caries
Verdict: Published with Warning
Across 6 PubMed studies, the evidence for Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) in Dental Caries grades Tier B — preliminary evidence. Effective, but with safety or population caveats.
B 🟡 B Preliminary Evidence Published with Warning
Why this grade7-layer evidence engine
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Scoring transparency
All scores computed by a 7-layer evidence engine — fully auditableRaw score 0.64
D
C
B
A
S
← counter-evidence / ineffectiveeffective / strong evidence →
Final grade
B · Published with Warning
Confidence
76%
Broadly consistent
Evidence level
E2
Multiple high-quality MAs (≥2 independent, consistent)
▸View the full decision path (audit trail)
- compute_raw_score — 加權公式: L2×0.30 + L3×0.25 + L5×0.25 + L11×0.10 + L1×0.10 = 0.64
- tier_from_score — 依分數區間映射至 tier letter
- apply_hec_rules — 高品質 SR/MA 顯示 positive (2 篇 > 0 negative)
- tier_strict_requirement_check — Tier 條件達標，未降階
- detect_disputes — 偵測到 0 個 hard + 0 個 soft dispute
- decide_status — 依 tier + dispute 結果決定 status
PubMed studies (6)L2 · primary research & systematic reviews
Effect of long-term consumption of a probiotic bacterium, Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, in milk on dental caries and caries risk in children
Finding: LGG-containing milk given 5 days/week for 7 months significantly lowered caries risk (OR 0.56, p=0.01; age/sex-adjusted OR 0.51, p=0.004), with the clearest benefit in 3-4 year-olds and lower salivary mutans streptococci.
View on PubMed Effects of probiotics on preventing caries in preschool children: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Finding: Pooling 17 RCTs (n=3,781), Lactobacillus rhamnosus was associated with reduced caries incidence (p=0.005) and progression (p<0.001) and lower high-level salivary S. mutans (p<0.00001), but no reduction in plaque S. mutans; L. rhamnosus was the most effective strain.
View on PubMed Can probiotics prevent dental caries?
Finding: This EBD commentary on the same 17-RCT/n=3,781 dataset concludes probiotics can reduce caries incidence in preschoolers, with L. rhamnosus more effective than other strains, while probiotics lowered S. mutans only in saliva, not plaque (no new pooled effect size reported).
View on PubMed Unlocking the potential of probiotic administration in caries management: a systematic review
Finding: Across 14 studies, Lacticaseibacillus (Lactobacillus) rhamnosus was the probiotic most often linked to beneficial caries outcomes, and milk-delivered L. rhamnosus was judged a useful adjuvant for caries prevention, though the authors stress comparable, better-designed studies are scarce.
View on PubMed Effect of Probiotics Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Lactobacillus plantarum on Caries and Periodontal Diseases: A Systematic Review
Finding: Of 15 RCTs included, only 1 actually addressed dental caries; the review reports potential clinical benefit of L. rhamnosus/L. plantarum for caries and periodontal endpoints but weaker microbiological evidence, and provides no pooled effect estimate.
View on PubMed The role of probiotics in preventing dental caries: a systematic review of clinical evidence
Finding: Across 21 studies, most trials reported significant S. mutans reductions with L. paracasei, L. rhamnosus and B. lactis and some showed fewer new carious lesions, but LGG benefits on hard caries endpoints were inconsistent and often required combination with arginine/other strains (one lozenge RCT: caries increment reduced, p=0.007).
View on PubMed Regulatory & authoritative positionsL4/L5 · FDA / EMA / NIH ODS / Cochrane / Mayo …
L4a US FDA
Supportive
GRN No. 231 — Notified Substance: Lactobacillus casei subsp. rhamnosus strain GG. Intended Use: Ingredient in term infant formula, at levels not to exceed 10^8 colony forming units per gram of powdered formula. Notifier: Mead Johnson & Company. Agency Response: FDA has no questions (closure date: May 29, 2008). source↗
L4b EU EFSA
Cautious
The bacterial species L. rhamnosus (now Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus) is considered by EFSA to be suitable for the qualified presumption of safety (QPS) approach to safety assessment. However, the EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies concluded that a cause and effect relationship has not been established between the consumption of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (ATCC 53103, LGG)… source↗
L4c UK NHS
Neutral
Probiotics are generally classed as food rather than medicine, which means they don't go through the rigorous testing medicines do. ... For most people, probiotics appear to be safe. If you want to try them, and you have a healthy immune system, they shouldn't cause any unpleasant side effects. ... If you have an existing health condition or a weakened immune system, you should talk to a doctor… source↗
L4d TW TFDA / 衛福部
Supportive
Lactobacillus rhamnosus is listed in the 'Food Ingredients Available for Use' (可供食品使用原料) comprehensive list as a lactic acid bacterium (乳酸菌), in the form of bacterial cells (菌體), and can be used as a food ingredient or for food processing purposes. source↗
L4e WHO
Supportive
Administration of Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) to children with gastroenteritis is recommended by universal guidelines. The World Gastroenterology Organisation's Global Guidelines for Probiotics and Prebiotics (2023 update) lists LGG as having documented, positive results in multiple gut-related health areas. The FAO/WHO Joint Working Group (London, Ontario, 2002) 'Guidelines for the E… source↗
L5a NIH Office of Dietary Supplements
Supportive
Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG is an example where Lactobacillus is the genus, rhamnosus is the species, and GG is the strain. Treatment with LGG compared with placebo or no additional treatment reduced the risk of antibiotic-associated diarrhea in patients treated with antibiotics from 22.4% to 12.3% (relative risk: 0.49). However, when children and adults were evaluated separately, the difference… source↗