Executive Summary
By 2050 there are expected to be two billion people aged 60 or older. This is more than double today’s figure. The older you are, the more likely you are to have lost all, or nearly all, your natural teeth.
Research shows that people with dentures are using a variety of ways to clean their dentures, ranging from soap and water to toothpastes, bleaches and commercial products.
We carried out a comprehensive search of online and other available sources, and found no consistency in the recommendations for cleaning and maintaining dentures. Recommendations vary between countries and within a country, and usually rely on personal experience. Also, opinion leaders provide contradictory guidance for maintaining dentures.
A lack of denture cleanliness can lead to poorer oral health and possibly general health problems. However, no strong links are reported between the level of cleanliness and the severity or nature of any problems.
There are a wide range of recommendations being made to both dental professionals and denture wearers. We therefore have developed guidelines to give patients, oral healthcare professionals and caregivers guidance on optimal denture care. These guidelines are supported by best evidence and based on consensus from key international experts.
