Ingredient 2 of 7
Lactobacillus Reuteri in ProDentim: What the Research Actually Tested
Lactobacillus reuteri is a probiotic species and the second strain the sales page names for ProDentim. It is one of the better-studied mouth probiotics, but the trials used named strains in lozenges, and ProDentim prints neither a strain code nor an amount. No trial of the tablet itself was found.
Written by the ProDentim label teamUpdated
What is Lactobacillus reuteri?
Lactobacillus reuteri is a species of probiotic bacteria, and the sales page lists it second among ProDentim's three strains (ProDentim sales page).
It is one of the species most often tested for the mouth. That does not make every product with its name a match for the research.
A probiotic is a live microorganism given in an adequate amount to help health (Hill et al. 2014, ISAPP consensus). Effects belong to a strain, not to a whole species (NIH ODS, Probiotics (HP)).
For this line, the label gives the species and nothing more. No strain code and no amount is printed.
What does the sales page say about Lactobacillus reuteri?
The sales page matches this line with "Helps with inflammation" and "Supports a healthy mouth environment" (ProDentim sales page).
These are general lines about the ingredient. No study is named next to them, and they are not results from the tablet.
The page gives "3.5 billion" for the three strains together. The part that belongs to L. reuteri is not stated.
The label front does not name this species. It says "Advanced Oral Probiotics" and "Healthy Teeth and Gums".
The picture is a brand illustration of rod-shaped bacteria. The file does not say which strain it shows.
What are the Lactobacillus reuteri facts at a glance?
One table holds the name, the place on the list, the amount and the strength of the evidence.
"Not printed" means nothing was found in the label images or on the sales page.
| Name on the sales page | Lactobacillus reuteri |
|---|---|
| What it is | Probiotic species (strain not named) |
| Place on the sales page list | 2 of 7 |
| Amount per tablet | Not printed (3.5 billion in total for the three strains) |
| What research looked at | Named strains (DSM 17938, ATCC PTA 5289) in small gingivitis and plaque trials; the product names the species only |
| Strength of evidence | Small trials; strain-specific |
| Marketed or traditional use | Probiotic species studied in mouth lozenges |
| Main caution | People with weakened immunity or serious illness should ask a clinician first. |
| Sales page says | “Helps with inflammation; Supports a healthy mouth environment” |
What have trials of Lactobacillus reuteri found?
Small trials of two named L. reuteri strains in lozenges found some changes in gum and plaque scores. The authors call for more work.
The one we read most closely followed 45 pregnant women with gum inflammation. Those given lozenges of strains DSM 17938 and ATCC PTA 5289 had lower gum and plaque scores than the placebo group at the later check (Schlagenhauf 2016, L. reuteri lozenges).
It is a single small trial in a single group. A blood marker seen during the study had gone by the final check.
| Point | In the research | In ProDentim |
|---|---|---|
| Strain | DSM 17938 and ATCC PTA 5289 (Schlagenhauf 2016, L. reuteri lozenges) | Not printed |
| Form | Lozenges, which sit in the mouth | Soft tablet, slowly chewed |
| Group | Pregnant women with gum inflammation | Adults in general; no trial |
| Overall view | Shows promise; mechanisms and efficacy need research (Liu 2025, L. reuteri oral health review) | No published trial of the tablet |
A wider review found modest effects of certain strains on cavity-linked bacteria and on bad breath. It also stressed that the studies differed and that only strain-specific trials can settle the question (Liu 2025, L. reuteri oral health review).
ProDentim: from $49 a bottle30 soft tablets · one a day · free US shipping on 3 or 6 · 60-day money-back guarantee
See packsWhat is not known about Lactobacillus reuteri in ProDentim?
Which strain it is, how much is in each tablet and how long it stays alive are not known from the images.
No Supplement Facts panel was in the label images No Supplement Facts panel is in the images supplied. The sales page names three probiotic strains (3.5 billion in total) and a 'Proprietary Blend of 4 Plants and Minerals'; per-strain amounts, blend weights and other ingredients are not printed there.. A reader cannot tell whether the tablet holds either of the strains used in the trials above.
- Strain code: not printed.
- Amount: not printed, only a combined total.
- Match to trial strains: cannot be checked.
- Study of the finished tablet: none found.
The honest summary is that the species has research behind it, and this product has none of its own.
Is Lactobacillus reuteri safe to take?
It is generally low risk for healthy adults, but no safety study of this tablet exists, and a few people should ask first.
Case reports describe serious infections from probiotics in a small number of people with weak immunity or severe illness (Costa 2018, probiotic infections SR). NIH advice is to ask a clinician if that is you, or if you are pregnant or taking antibiotics (NIH ODS, Probiotics (HP)) (NCCIH, Probiotics: Usefulness & Safety).
You get swelling, a rash, signs of an allergic reaction, strong stomach upset, or bleeding that does not settle.
Nothing on the label lists an allergen or a source, so ask the desk if you avoid dairy or other foods.
- Bleeding gumsThat keep bleeding when you brush or floss
- A loose toothOr teeth that seem to be shifting
- Toothache or swellingPain, a bump on the gum or a swollen face
- Breath that will not goEven with brushing, flossing and a clean tongue
- White or dark spotsEarly signs of decay can look like chalky spots
Book a visitThese are reasons to see a dentist, not to try a supplement. Tell the dentist about every supplement and medicine you take.
Urgent careA swollen face or neck, trouble swallowing or breathing, or a fever with mouth pain needs urgent medical care. Call your doctor or local emergency number.
Signs from NIDCR (NIDCR, Gum Disease) (NIDCR, The Tooth Decay Process) and MedlinePlus (MedlinePlus, Bad Breath). A probiotic is not a treatment for any of them.
How should Lactobacillus reuteri fit into your day?
As an extra, after the basics. The sales page says to slowly chew one tablet every morning (ProDentim sales page).
Keep brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste (ADA MouthHealthy, Brushing Your Teeth), clean between your teeth every day (ADA MouthHealthy, Flossing), see a dentist regularly and keep taking prescribed medicine exactly as directed.
The gum trial above ran next to normal care and used lozenges. The evidence on oral probiotics page weighs that against other studies.
See the way ProDentim is said to work for the full picture, or go on to B. lactis BL-04.
FAQ01
Lactobacillus reuteri questions
Is Lactobacillus reuteri the same as L. reuteri DSM 17938?
No. DSM 17938 is one named strain of the species. ProDentim names only the species, so nothing links this tablet to DSM 17938 or to any other strain used in the lozenge trials we found.
Does Lactobacillus reuteri fix bleeding gums?
No evidence shows that. Small trials of two lozenge strains found lower gum scores in one group (Schlagenhauf 2016, L. reuteri lozenges), but they do not test ProDentim. Bleeding gums should be checked by a dentist, since they can signal gum disease (NIDCR, Gum Disease).
Can Lactobacillus reuteri cure bad breath?
No. A review found only modest effects of certain strains on bad breath, with mixed studies (Liu 2025, L. reuteri oral health review). No trial of this tablet exists. Persistent bad breath is worth a dental visit to find the cause (MedlinePlus, Bad Breath).
How much Lactobacillus reuteri is in ProDentim?
Not printed. The sales page gives "3.5 billion" for all three strains with no split, and the label images show no Supplement Facts panel to check against.
Is Lactobacillus reuteri safe in pregnancy?
Ask your doctor first. One trial used a lozenge in pregnant women (Schlagenhauf 2016, L. reuteri lozenges), but that was a different product under study conditions. NIH advises asking a clinician before taking probiotics while pregnant (NIH ODS, Probiotics (HP)).
Why do lozenge studies matter for a soft tablet?
A lozenge stays in the mouth longer, so the live bacteria may meet teeth and gums for longer. A slowly chewed tablet may behave differently. No study compares the two, so the trials cannot be carried over.
Who wrote this02
Written and reviewed by
Pages built from the label, the sales page and linked NIH, NIDCR, FDA, CDC, ADA, FTC and peer-reviewed sources.
Last updated . Read our editorial standards and how we check reviews. This website is run by a USA authorized ProDentim retailer, not by the manufacturer. We earn money when you buy through our order links.
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