Denture cleansing--the best approach.

Denture cleanliness is essential to prevent malodour, poor aesthetics and the accumulation of plaque/calculus with its deleterious effects on the mucosa. There are a large number of solutions, pastes and powders available for cleaning dentures with a variety of claims for their relative efficacies. Denture cleansers in common use can broadly be divided into those having mechanical or chemical effects. Surveys show that some denture wearers experience difficulty in cleaning their dentures satisfactorily and many wear dirty dentures. Replacement dentures are sometimes necessary due to general deterioration of the denture base material because of the misuse or abuse of a range of approved denture cleaning methods or do-it-yourself cleaning methods such as the use of household bleach. Current popular cleaning methods used among complete and partial denture wearers are discussed and advice is given on recommended methods of cleaning dentures. The results of a survey conducted to assess patients' knowledge of cleaning procedures and methods and materials used are also presented. Respondents used a variety of combinations of cleaning methods. The findings of this survey that a large number of people do not know how to clean their dentures satisfactorily are in agreement with those of previous surveys. Recommendations are given on suitable methods of cleaning both metal and acrylic resin dentures.