Hygiene habits and frequency of dental visits in mobile denture wearers 65 years and older, Sarajevo, June-September 2018

Abstract

Introduction: Hygiene of removable dentures can not be separated from oral hygiene. Removable dentures persist in mouth for up to 16 hours every day. Inadequately cleaned dentures with lots of plaque accumulated, can compromise health status of mucosa and remaining teeth. It can lead to stomatitis protetica, candidiasis and periodontitis. Aim of the research was to investigate habits of 65+ old patients, regarding the method and frequency of cleaning their dentures, to investigate substances used for cleaning and to investigate frequency and causes for dental visits. Materials and methods: Questionnaire was presented to 61 patient who were 65 or older, and have removable dentures. Results: 82% of the patients interviewed is cleaning their dentures at least twice daily.93% of them is using the mechanical method of cleaning the dentures. 86% is using a toothpaste for cleaning, 52% is keeping the dentures in clean water when it is not in the mouth, 48% is using cleaning tablets. 57% of interviewed patients is wearing dentures at night. 48% of them reported that they have never been instructed from their dentists on how to clean their dentures. 36% of them goes to the dentist only when have some emergency problem. Conclusion: The patients had limited knowledge about prosthetic- and oral hygiene, and they rarely visited dentist. The data collected provided an insight on habits of patients and pointed to the need of greater involvement in prosthetic hygiene promotion and in better informing of the patients.