Bifidobacterium animalis is a probiotic bacterium that has been investigated for its role in oral health, particularly in the context of oral surgery recovery and the management of oral infections. The scientific rationale centers on its ability to modulate the oral microbiota, inhibit pathogenic bacteria, and potentially reduce inflammation and promote mucosal healing. Several in vitro and animal studies have demonstrated that B. animalis can inhibit the growth of periodontopathogens and may contribute to maintaining oral microbial balance.

Human clinical evidence, however, remains limited. A few small randomized controlled trials and pilot studies have evaluated probiotics (including B. animalis) in reducing postoperative complications such as infection, inflammation, and delayed healing after oral surgery. These studies report modest benefits, such as reduced inflammation and lower levels of pathogenic bacteria, but the sample sizes are small and often the probiotic is used in combination with other strains, making it difficult to attribute effects specifically to B. animalis. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses conclude that while probiotics may have a supportive role in oral health and surgery recovery, the evidence is not robust, and further high-quality trials are needed.

In summary, there is some scientific investigation into the use of B. animalis for supporting oral surgery, but the evidence is preliminary and not yet definitive.