Dental Dentures Cleaning & Disinfection by Dr Pax DentaClean

Denture-related infections represent a critical challenge in Indian dental practice, with Candida albicans, Streptococcus mutans, and antibiotic-resistant bacteria forming complex biofilms that contribute to denture stomatitis, aspiration pneumonia, halitosis, and serious systemic infections in elderly patients. Research demonstrates that improperly disinfected dentures harbor over 40 different pathogenic species, creating significant health risks particularly for immunocompromised patients who represent a growing demographic in India's aging population.

The widespread lack of validated denture care protocols compounds these risks throughout Indian healthcare systems. Most patients receive inadequate guidance regarding proper denture hygiene, leading to reliance on harmful home remedies including household bleach, abrasive toothpastes, or boiling water treatments that cause irreversible surface damage, material degradation, and dimensional changes in PMMA acrylic and thermoplastic materials. These destructive practices create microscopic surface irregularities that actually enhance bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation, accelerating denture deterioration while increasing infection risks.

Clinical environments present additional contamination challenges as dental practitioners frequently handle unsterilized dentures during adjustments, relines, and repair procedures without adequate infection control protocols. Cross-contamination between patients becomes inevitable when dentures are processed through shared laboratory spaces, impression materials, and adjustment instruments without proper disinfection barriers. Many practices lack dedicated denture processing areas or appropriate immersion facilities, forcing reliance on inadequate spray disinfection or simple water rinsing that provides zero antimicrobial protection.

The economic implications extend beyond immediate health risks as inadequate denture hygiene protocols contribute to accelerated prosthetic failure, increased patient complaints, costly remake procedures, and potential medicolegal exposure. Rural practices face particular challenges with limited access to appropriate disinfectants, while urban high-volume clinics struggle with time constraints that encourage shortcuts in essential infection control procedures, ultimately compromising both patient safety and practice sustainability.