Investigation of the cleanliness of dentures in a university hospital.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to determine denture cleanliness of a population sample, as well as to investigate denture cleaning habits and attitudes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Two hundred thirty-four denture-wearing patients were surveyed via a questionnaire to identify types and frequency of use of denture cleaning methods. Patients were also clinically examined to determine denture cleanliness. Dentures were classified as clean, dirty, or extremely dirty based on the level of debris and stain present. The oral mucosa was also examined and rated.

RESULTS

The most common regimen employed was brushing with toothpaste (40.59% of patients), while only 1 patient reported soaking the denture in mouthwash. Results showed that 38.9% of patients were not satisfied with their cleansing methods, and 82.9% of patients claimed their dentists did not inform them how to clean their dentures. Only 11.9% of patients had clean dentures. Older dentures tended to be dirtier than newer ones (P = .0001) and had a higher incidence rate of accompanying denture stomatitis (P= .0001).

CONCLUSION

In this population sample, most denture wearers did not clean their dentures satisfactorily.