Relationship between denture stomatitis, xerostomia, and salivary flow in edentulous subjects Singh Harkanwal Preet1,*, Bansal Pardeep2, Thippeswamy SH3 1Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, Dasmesh Institute of Research and Dental Sciences (Baba Farid University of Health Sciences), Faridkot, India 2Department of Prosthodontics, Dasmesh Institute of Research and Dental Sciences (Baba Farid University of Health Sciences), Faridkot, India 3Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, Dasmesh Institute of Research and Dental Sciences (Baba Farid University of Health Sciences), Faridkot, India *Corresponding Author: Harkanwal Preet Singh, Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, Dasmesh Institute of Research and Dental Sciences (Baba Farid University of Health Sciences), Faridkot, India
Online Published on 23 July, 2024. Abstract Background The relationship between denture stomatitis and xerostomia is bidirectional. While xerostomia can predispose to denture stomatitis, the presence of inflammation and infection in the oral cavity can further impair salivary gland function, exacerbating dry mouth symptoms. Thus, the relationship between denture stomatitis, xerostomia, and salivary flow in edentulous subjects is complex and interrelated. Aim To explore the association between denture stomatitis, xerostomia, salivary flow rates and salivary candida count (CFU) in edentulous subjects. Material and methods The Study group included 120 patients who were edentulous and had denture stomatitis symptoms, along with 30 healthy control patients without denture stomatitis. For salivary flow rates both unstimulated and stimulated saliva were collected and evaluated. CFU in saliva was determined from the unstimulated whole saliva and inoculated on the SDA plates. After incubation for 24 to 48 hours, colonies were counted, and the number of CFU/mL was determined. Results The mean value of unstimulated and stimulated salivary flow in the test group was observed to be 0.93±3.85 and 1.06±0.23 respectively, and in the control group was observed to be 2.30±7.64 and 0.98±0.20 respectively. No significant difference was observed in the rate of stimulated or unstimulated salivary flow comparing Denture Stomatitis patients (Group 1) to healthy individuals (Group 2). The level of CFU of C. albicans within the saliva of group 1 (test group) was higher with a mean value of 395.88±174.9 CFU/ml, compared to the control group which had mean score of 103.97±47.08 CFU/ml. The difference also came out to be statistically significant. (p=0.001). In Group 1 (denture stomatitis patients), C. albicans was positive (CFU/ml >400) in 50/120 (41.7%) cases, but within Group 2 (control group), C. albicans was positive (CFU/ml >400) in only 4/30 (13.3%) cases. Conclusion This study demonstrated no significant difference in salivary flow rates between denture stomatitis patients and healthy individuals, although candida colonization showed significant results, indicating that factors beyond hyposalivation, such as Candida colonization and denture hygiene, play more critical roles in the etiology of denture stomatitis. Top Keywords Denture stomatitis, Saliva, Candida, Xerostomia. Top |