U of T Researchers Explore Probiotic-Infused Foods like Yogurt to Combat Childhood Cavities
Researchers from the University of Toronto are pioneering a novel approach to preventing dental decay in children by testing whether probiotics incorporated into everyday foods—such as yogurt or milk—can help reduce the prevalence of cavities. Led by Dentistry Professor Céline Lévesque, the team is developing synbiotic formulations—that is, combinations of beneficial live bacteria and prebiotic food ingredients—designed to modulate the oral microbiome in favor of health. Oral Health Group
One major obstacle the researchers acknowledge is that even the “friendly” bacteria introduced into the mouth do not tend to remain there long enough to provide long-lasting protection. To counteract this, they are carefully selecting strains that are naturally present in the oral environment. Among the candidates, Streptococcus salivarius—a bacterium found in breast milk and the mouth—has emerged as promising for inclusion in the synbiotic formula. Oral Health Group
The team is collaborating with other institutions, including the University of Hong Kong and the University of Alberta, to refine how these bacteria interact with food matrices, as well as to test them in preclinical studies. Their goal is to embed the probiotics into common dietary vehicles like milk or yogurt so that children can receive preventive benefits through normal eating habits, rather than having to adopt new or unfamiliar supplements. Oral Health Group
Funding from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research supports this effort, which includes experiments to find which food components best support probiotic survival and function, and how effectively these formulations colonize or influence oral microbial communities. The long-term vision is to make cavity prevention more accessible and low-cost, particularly for communities where conventional dental care is less available. Oral Health Group
The urgency of this research is clear: dental cavities remain one of the most common chronic diseases of childhood. In Canada, over half of children ages 6–11 and nearly 60 % of adolescents suffer from tooth decay, according to national surveys. Globally, the World Health Organization estimates that up to 90 % of school-aged children are affected. Because untreated cavities can lead to pain, difficulty eating, trouble concentrating in school, and broader health consequences, new preventive strategies are critically needed—especially for underserved populations. Oral Health Group
Lévesque emphasizes that children, particularly those in minority or low-income communities, are often left behind in oral health improvements. Her team hopes that their synbiotic approach will help shift the paradigm from disease treatment to proactive prevention, aligning with global calls by health organizations to make oral health care more equitable and sustainable. Oral Health Group
📖 Original Article Citation
“U of T researchers test probiotics in everyday foods like yogurt to fight childhood cavities.”
Oral Health Group, September 25, 2025.