Hygiene habits and the condition of oral mucosa in patients using acrylic removable dentures

Introduction. Prosthetic rehabilitation can be
considered a success when it leaves the patient with
a sense of well-being and when the patient is aware
of the need for effective oral hygiene behaviour. Aim
of the study. To analyse the relationship between oral
hygiene habits and the condition of oral mucosa in
people using acrylic removable dentures. Material
and methods. The research involved sixty patients
using acrylic dentures (30 women and 30 men).
The study was based on a questionnaire to evaluate
patients’ hygiene habits, and a clinical examination
of the mucous membrane using Newton classification
was carried out. The data were statistically analysed
using Pearson’s chi-square test (p < 0.05). Results.
The patients were aged between 41 and 84 years
(mean 66.3 years). Brushing with toothpaste was
the most frequent cleaning method (82%). Twentyseven
patients (45%) did not remove their dentures at
night. Upon clinical examination, 40% of the patients
had healthy mucous membrane on the palate. The
quality of denture hygiene did not vary significantly
with age, gender, or the duration of prosthesis use.
There is a significant correlation between the way the
prosthesis is handled at night and denture stomatitis
(p=0.001). Conclusion. Failure to maintain hygienic
practices with regard to removable dentures has an
influence on the condition of the oral mucosa. Wearing
dentures overnight is the most significant factor in the
development of pathological changes of the mucous
membrane.