Aim: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the application possibility of water containing organic acids (WOA), made by some organic acids used as food additives, for chemical denture cleaning for older adults by microbial investigation.
Methods: Using an in vitro biofilm study, we determined the effects of WOA on Streptococcus sanguinis, S. pneumoniae and Candida albicans attached to heat-cured acrylic resins. Specimens were divided into three groups as follows: control group (TW), commercial denture cleaner group (DC) and WOA group (WOA). Specimens were treated with each for 5 min, 30 min or 8 h, and the numbers of attached microbes were determined by counting colony-forming units or adenosine triphosphate analysis. Using an in vivo biofilm study, we studied the effects of these same solutions on 60 complete dentures. The dentures were divided randomly and blindness into three groups as described above, and treated for 10 min. The numbers of microbes attached to dentures before and after treatment were determined by counting colony-forming units.
Results: For the in vitro biofilm study, there were significant differences in the numbers of microbes between WOA and TW, although there were no significant differences between WOA and DC except for C. albicans. For the in vivo biofilm study, there were significant differences between WOA, DC and TW, although there was no significant difference between WOA and DC.
Conclusion: We conclude that water containing organic acids exerts antimicrobial effects as strong as commercial denture cleaner, and it has an application possibility of use for safe chemical denture cleaning for older adults.
Keywords: aged; biofilms; denture cleansers; dentures; oral hygiene.
© 2015 Japan Geriatrics Society.