Tissue inflammatory response and salivary Streptococcus mutans count with three different denture cleansers

Abstract

This study was conducted to detect the clinical effect on mucosa and the bacteriological effect on
saliva of three types of commercially available denture cleansers. Forty edentulous patients free from
any oral or systemic diseases were selected in this study. Conventionally constructed dentures were
delivered. At the beginning of the study the clinical condition of the mucosa was recorded, and salivary
samples were taken for bacterial culture. The patients were divided into four groups each of ten
patients. For every group a denture cleanser was prescribed and patients were instructed to use it
according to manufacturer’s instructions, any other method of cleansing was prohibited. The fourth
group was a control group that did not use any denture cleanser. Patients were recalled every month
for checkup of the oral mucosa and inspection of the dentures. The results indicated that chemical
cleansing of dentures decrease the total number of colony forming units of microorganisms and the
number of Streptococcus mutans. The condition of the mucosa also improved with the decrease of the
oral microorganisms. Chemical cleansers containing peroxide were better than those containing
sodium hypochlorite.