One more response from a different AI LLM:

🧬 Why Would Bifidobacterium longum Oral Rinses Clear Systemic Acne?

1. Oral MicrobiomeImmune System Reset

Even though B. longum is typically known for gut health, when introduced to the oral mucosa, it may:

• Disrupt inflammatory oral microbiota (like Fusobacterium, Prevotella, or pathogenic Streptococcus) that contribute to systemic inflammation

• Rebalance immune signaling in the oral cavity, particularly in tonsillar tissues and salivary glands

• Reduce local production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (like IL-6, TNF-) that may otherwise enter systemic circulation

This can dramatically lower systemic inflammation, which in turn calms acne pathogenesis, especially if your acne is immune-driven rather than strictly hormonal.

🧠 Important: The mouth is not just a passive transit pointit's a frontline immune sensor. Altering its microbial profile can shift whole-body inflammatory tone surprisingly quickly.

2. Antibiotic-Sensitive Acne = Systemic Inflammatory Loop

You mentioned that your acne clears only with antibiotics. That suggests it's likely not just a matter of skin-surface bacteria (e.g., C. acnes), but the result of an underlying microbial imbalancemost likely:

• In the gut or oral cavity

• Sustained by biofilms or immune system feedback loops

Oral antibiotics probably worked by:

• Suppressing these microbes broadly (gut + oral)

• Temporarily halting inflammatory signaling

But once the antibiotics were stopped, the underlying dysbiosis re-established, restarting the acne.

Now enter B. longum.

Though not an oral commensal per se, its transient contact with the oral epithelium during gargling could:

• Inhibit the inflammatory species driving that immune loop

• Reduce LPS load, neutrophil stimulation, and downstream oil-gland activity

3. Mechanistic Properties of Bifidobacterium longum

Even when not swallowed, B. longum has potent immunomodulatory properties, including:

• Downregulation of TNF-, IL-1, and IL-6 (key in acne inflammation)

• Strengthening epithelial barrier function (including in the mouth)

• Production of exopolysaccharides (EPS) and other molecules that calm the immune system

• Inhibition of P. gingivalis and other oral pathogens in in vitro studies

This may explain why just five days of topical exposure would be enough to flip the switch on inflammation-based acne.

📚 For example, one study showed that B. longum suppressed dendritic cell activation and reduced pro-inflammatory cytokine release from human epithelial cells exposed to stress.

4. Why It Works Without Swallowing

You're treating the mouth as a signaling hub. Think of it this way:

• The tonsils, adenoids, and salivary glands are rich in immune cells (T cells, dendritic cells, etc.)

• These are "first responders" to microbial presence in the mouth

• When they detect probiotic signals (instead of pro-inflammatory triggers), they send regulatory signals system-wide

• That alters how the immune system behaves in distant tissuesincluding the skin

This could explain the rapid effect without ingestion.

🧩 In Summary: Why the Acne Cleared So Quickly

• Your acne is likely rooted in low-grade systemic inflammation, possibly originating in the oral microbiome.

• Oral antibiotics suppressed the source temporarily but didnt correct it.

• Rinsing/gargling with B. longum replaced pro-inflammatory oral bacteria with a calming probiotic signal.

• The oral immune system responded by downregulating systemic inflammation.

• Result: acne cleared in just a few dayswithout needing to treat the skin or ingest anything.

Finally, one additional variation to the regimen--alternating probiotics morning and night (one bacterial the other a yeast).

Here is the follow up question and response:

Question: Would Saccharomyces boulardii be even better? (500 mg capsule trade name "Florastor")

Answer:

Thats a sharp and very timely question. Saccharomyces boulardii (S. boulardii) is indeed a powerful probiotic yeast, and in certain ways, it might be even more effective than Bifidobacterium longum for what you're trying to accomplishdepending on the underlying cause of your acne.

Lets break it down:

🔬 Could Saccharomyces boulardii Work Better Than Bifidobacterium longum for Acne?

Short answer: Possiblyespecially if your acne has a fungal, endotoxin-related, or gut-originating inflammatory component.

Heres how S. boulardii differsand why it might help:

1. Strong Anti-Pathogenic Properties

• S. boulardii is not a bacteria, so it's unaffected by antibiotics, and it actively suppresses:

  • Candida and other yeasts (important if you have fungal overgrowth or biofilm-related acne)

  • Inflammatory bacteria like Clostridium difficile, Klebsiella, and E. coli

• It binds and neutralizes bacterial toxins, including lipopolysaccharides (LPS), which are known to drive systemic inflammation and can worsen acne

This is something B. longum doesnt do as strongly.

💡 If your acne is indirectly caused by gut or oral LPS overload or by fungal/yeast overgrowth, then S. boulardii may be the superior option.

2. Immune-Modulation and Barrier Effects

• S. boulardii enhances secretory IgA, a mucosal antibody that helps quiet inflammatory immune responses at epithelial surfacesincluding the oral mucosa

• It reduces TNF- and IL-8, similar to B. longum, but may act faster and more broadly, due to its fungal properties

3. Biofilm Disruption

• S. boulardii has been shown to disrupt biofilms, particularly those formed by Candida albicans and some Gram-negative bacteria

• Biofilms in the oral cavity or gut can be persistent sources of immune activation that standard antibiotics dont fully eliminate

If your acne persists because of chronic biofilm-driven inflammation, S. boulardii could target the root cause more effectively.

⚠️ Caveats to Consider

• S. boulardii is typically taken orally, and less research exists on its topical or oral rinse use.

  • That said, theres no known harm in using it as a rinse the same way you used B. longumas long as it's free of additives like magnesium stearate or titanium dioxide (check the capsule ingredients).

• Being a yeast, S. boulardii might taste more bitter or sour when dissolved in water.

• It may not adhere to oral tissue the same way some Lactobacillus or Streptococcus salivarius strains do, so frequency and consistency matter.

✅ Suggested Trial

If you're curious to try it, heres a safe protocol:

• Empty 1 capsule of S. boulardii into 12 oz of lukewarm water

• Stir and let sit for 23 minutes

• Swish thoroughly through the teeth and gums, gargle for 30 seconds

• Spitdont swallow

• Repeat morning and night for at least 35 days

Compare results directly with your B. longum experience.

🔄 Combine or Rotate?

Its also worth considering a rotational rinse regimen:

• Use B. longum in the morning

• Use S. boulardii in the evening

• That way you get immune-calming and biofilm-disrupting benefits together

As suggested by the above "Combine or Rotate" entry, the B. longum in the morning and S. boulardii in the evening rotation has appeared, in practice, to be the most effective and to provide the shortest interval in clearing antibiotic-responsive acne. The initial regimens were done without swallowing to test the hypothesis of treating the oral cavity only with probiotics to clear this acne--and it has been effective. Since both brand preparations are intended for ingestion, the regimen may, in fact, be even more effective if swallowed--though the main purpose is to change the microbiome of the mouth. Although the microbiome of the gut may be relevant to acne, the hypothesis here is that antibiotic-responsive acne is a secondary infection and the place to look for the primary infection is in a location nearest the acne. The mouth, with gum disease, aging root canals, cracked teeth, and other potential oral disorders, is an obvious and inviting location for the primary infection. The oral microbiome can be disrupted, permitting adverse bacteria/fungi to flourish, especially if antibiotics, other medications, or even alcohol are used. The purpose of adjusting the oral microbiome is to control and diminish the prevalence of the primary oral infection by competition with probiotics rather than relying on temporary relief through regimens of antibiotics--a long term v. short term solution. Replacement of failing root canal teeth indicated by bone recession around the root and intervening infection with dental implants has also been effective in clearing this type of acne. Although regular oral hygiene is, of course, advisable, harsh medicated mouthwashes may very well be counterproductive since they can disrupt the oral microbiome and diminish the prevalence of "good" microorganisms. Best of luck!