Dentures: a perfect environment for the accumulation of bacteria

Our immune system generally controls the proliferation of pathogenic bacteria on our mouth tissues. However, it is not the case for acrylic dentures since they do not have antimicrobial properties. Bacteria can reproduce and spread easily on them.

What you need to know:

• Partially or entirely made of acrylic, dentures have a porous surface that is ideal for the proliferation of bacteria.
• Several bacteria that can cause serious diseases have already been identified on the surface of acrylic dentures: Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus mutans, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Escherichia coli.
• 87% of people who wear dentures are complaining about odours from their prosthesis (night soaking helps to reduce the presence of these odour-causing bacteria).
• People with mouth dryness (often caused by medication) should particularly worry about the cleanliness of their prosthesis. The saliva acts as a first line of defense against bacteria, which proliferate more quickly in a dry mouth. Dental hygienists may recommend an oral moisturizer allowing a better retention of the dentures as well.
• The older the patient, the higher the level of bacteria in the mouth: this is due to the decrease in the production of saliva and the weakening of the immune system with age.

We now understand why a perfect oral hygiene is required when wearing dentures.

The basic rules of good oral hygiene with dentures