Microbiological studies on denture-induced stomatitis in children.

Denture-induced stomatitis in children was studied microbiologically. Quantitative cultural studies on Candida and bacteria were done in 17 denture wearers with or without palatal denture-induced stomatitis (erythema score 0-3) and in 16 healthy nondenture wearers. It was found that significantly higher numbers of Candida both in denture plaque and in saliva were cultured from the denture wearers as the clinical condition of the palatal mucosa deteriorated. Almost iden t ica I n u m bets of bacteria, however, were isola ted from the denture wearers, irrespective of erythema score. It was also shown that the isolation rates of Candida both from denture plaque and from saliva was 100% in subjects with erythema scores of 1-3, but approached 50% in subjects with an erythema score of O. Studies on the saliva from nondenture wearers revealed that both the isolated numbers of microbes and the isolation rate of Candida were almost identical with those of subjects with an erythema score of O. The most frequently isolated species of Candida was Candida albicans A. These studies suggest that Candida might be an etiologic factor for denture-induced stomatitis in children. Denture-induced stomatitis (DS) is a frequent complication in children and adults wearing removable dentures or space maintainers (Budtz-J6rgensen et al. 1975). DS is a term used to describe certain pathologic changes found in the oral mucosa of denture-bearing tissues (Budtz-J6rgensen 1974). These changes are characterized by a bright erythema and are found under dentures in both jaws, but most frequently in the maxilla (Bergendal and Isacsson 1983). Several etiologic factors may be associated with DS. Microbes can be one of the candidates. Culture studies indicate that this condition is associated with a quantitative increase in yeasts on the mucosal surface of maxillary dentures and the lesions in the plate (BudtzJ6rgensen et al. 1975; Arendorf and Walker 1979). Other studies, however, suggest that bacteria may play a causative role in the disease (Van Reenen 1973; Holbrook 1979). Second, allergic response of the host to resins has been suggested as one causative agent (Giunta et al. 1979; Devlin and Watts 1984). Third, physical injury induced by a poorly fitting denture can be a significant etiologic factor (Stohler 1984). In addition, some of the factors described may work together. Many studies on DS have been done in adults, but there is no known report in the literature on DS in children. In the present study, DS in children was investigated microbiologically. This report suggests that Candida might be one possible cause of the disease. Materials and Methods