An epidemiologic study of yeasts in elderly denture wearers

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Oral Health
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Denture stomatitis is a common oral condition affecting removable denture wearers.
• Candida species, particularly Candida albicans, are frequently implicated in oral infections.
• Elderly populations often experience increased susceptibility to oral health issues due to physiological changes and denture use.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of denture stomatitis and Candida infection in an elderly Danish population.
• To investigate the relationship between Candida colonization, clinical presentation, and denture hygiene.

Main Methods:

• A random sample of 465 elderly individuals (age 65+) wearing removable maxillary dentures were examined.
• Oral swabs, mucosal scrapings, and denture scrapings were collected for yeast isolation via cultivation and microscopy.
• Clinical examination assessed the presence and severity of denture stomatitis.

Main Results:

• The prevalence of denture stomatitis was found to be 65% in the study group.
• Candida species, especially C. albicans, were frequently isolated from both patients with denture stomatitis and those with clinically normal mucosa.
• Microscopic analysis revealed significant accumulations of hyphae and inflammatory cells in patients with denture stomatitis, correlating with poor denture cleanliness.

Conclusions:

• Candida infection is a common finding in elderly denture wearers, often associated with denture stomatitis.
• Poor denture hygiene is a significant contributing factor to the high prevalence of denture stomatitis and associated Candida infections.
• Regular oral hygiene practices and denture care are crucial for preventing and managing these conditions in the elderly.