An Insight to Denture Cleansing

The formation of plaque on surfaces of dentures is a common problem among denture wearers often leading to halitosis and gingival inflammation5 with its associated complications like denture stomatitis, inflammatory papillary hyperplasia, and chronic candidiasis.1 Normal oral micro flora are pigmented and non pigmented micrococci, like gram positive aerobic spore bearing bacilli, coli forms, proteus and lactobacilli, spectrum of anaerobic streptococci, vibrios, fusiform bacilli, cornybacterium species, actinomyces, leptothrix, mycoplasma, nesseria and bacteriodes. Among fungi, Candida and geotrichum have been reported.2 The formation of denture plaque by the normal oral flora is facilitated by the presence of debris due to poor hygiene, irregularities in the acrylic resin.6 Coupled with this, the increase in number of dentures in service has stimulated interest in controlling deposits and stains which normally collect on them. The use of teeth with more natural contours and the trend towards stippled surfaces tend to provide more recessed area for the accumulation of stains and debris; consequently increasing the patient¿s cleaning problems.3 The best