Effect of three types of denture cleansers on the streptococcus mutans count in saliva

ABSTRACT

This study was conducted to detect the effect of three types of commercially available denture cleansers clinically on the oral mucosa and bacteriologically on saliva. 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. Also samples of saliva were taken, diluted and cultured on blood agar medium to count the total colony forming units, and on mitis sucrose bacitracin to count the streptococcus mutans in the samples. The patients were divided into four groups each of ten patients. For every group denture cleanser is prescribed and patients are advised to use it according to manufacturer's instructions, any other method of cleansing was prohibited. The fourth group is a control group without use of any cleanser. Patients were recalled every month for checkup of the oral mucosa and inspection of the dentures. Samples of saliva were taken before denture insertion, one month after denture insertion, [before denture cleanser use], end of the second, fourth and seventh month, these samples were diluted, and cultured, also the clinical condition of the mucosa was recorded and statistically analysed. The results indicated that chemical cleansing of dentures decreased the total number of colony forming of microorganisms and the number of streptococcus mutans. The condition of the mucosa was improved with the decrease of the oral microorganisms. Chemical cleansers containing peroxide are better than those containing sodium hypochlorite. No difference between effervescent tablets and non effervescent powder of the peroxide type was found