Neglecting dentures could raise your risk of pneumonia, new study warns

Designed to fit snugly over the gums to replace missing teeth, dentures are removable false teeth made of acrylic, nylon or metal. 

While the false teeth could help prevent problems with eating and speech, they could also spell bad news for your lung health.

A new study, published in the Journal of Medical Microbiology, found that those seemingly harmless appliances could increase your risk of pneumonia if not cleaned.

The research conducted by British scientists revealed a link between dirty dentures and harmful germs known to cause inflammation of the lungs.

Including two groups in the study, the research team looked at whether denture surfaces provide an environment where pesky bacteria associated with respiratory infections can thrive, subsequently boosting pneumonia risk.

The first group consisted of frail, elderly individuals without any respiratory infections, while the second one included hospitalised patients who had been diagnosed with the lung condition.

Using advanced techniques called 16S rRNA meta-taxonomic sequencing and quantitative PCR, the scientists then analysed the bacterial communities present on the dentures.

Quantitative PCR, also known as polymerase chain reaction, details a well-established method that helps to detect and quantify different types of microbial agents.

The research team specifically focused on identifying respiratory pathogens, such as Streptococcus pneumonia, which is a bacterium commonly associated with pneumonia.

Worryingly, the researchers found a statistically significant increase in the overall abundance of these pesky bacteria on dentures.

In fact, the amount exceeded the bioburden found in the control group by 20 times.

The research team also noticed changes in the diversity and richness of the bacterial communities present on dentures between pneumonia patients and the control subjects.

While dentures have been previously considered a reliable solution for missing teeth, this research highlights the need for further examination of their impact on overall health.

Dr Joshua A. Twigg, the lead researcher from the School of Dentistry of Cardiff University in Wales, said: “Our study has revealed the presence of potentially harmful microbial communities on dentures. 

“It is crucial to clean dentures thoroughly to minimise the risk. Additionally, regular dental visits can help individuals avoid the need for dentures altogether.”

According to the NHS, you should stick to the following rules to keep your dentures clean:

• Brush your dentures with toothpaste or soap and water before soaking them to remove food particles
• Soak them in a fizzy solution of denture-cleaning tablets to remove stains and bacteria (follow the manufacturer’s instructions)
• Brush them again as you would your normal teeth (but don’t scrub them too hard)
• Dentures may break if you drop them, so you should clean them over a bowl or sink filled with water, or something soft like a folded towel.