Oral Probiotics and Denture Care in Saudi Arabia: Evaluating Knowledge, Practices, and the Future of Innovative Hygiene Solutions

Oral Probiotics and Denture Care in Saudi Arabia: Evaluating Knowledge, Practices, and the Future of Innovative Hygiene Solutions

The goal of this observational study is to learn about denture wearers' knowledge, awareness, and self-reported practices regarding denture hygiene and oral probiotics, and to assess whether these are associated with clinical oral findings and microbial colonization in adult denture wearers (18 years and older), including complete and partial denture users treated at King Saud University Dental Clinics within the past five years. The main questions it aims to answer are:

What are the levels of knowledge, awareness, and practices related to denture hygiene and oral probiotics among adult denture wearers?

What is the prevalence of denture-related oral conditions and bacterial/fungal colonization, and how are these related to denture hygiene knowledge and self-reported hygiene practices?

Participants will:

Complete an electronic questionnaire in Arabic or English about demographics, denture hygiene knowledge, awareness of oral probiotics, and current denture care practices.

Attend a 15-20 minute clinical visit for examination of dentures and oral mucosa.

Be asked to avoid cleaning their denture for at least 12 hours before the visit.

Undergo plaque sample collection from dentures and oral tissues; partially edentulous participants will also have additional samples collected from abutment areas.

Have samples analyzed using real-time PCR and culture methods (CFU) to detect bacterial and fungal microorganisms.

Inclusion Criteria:

Adults 18 years or older

Currently wearing at least one removable denture (complete or partial)

Denture received/used within the past five years

Willing and able to provide informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

Severe systemic conditions affecting oral health, such as:

Uncontrolled diabetes (HbA1c > 7) and Immunosuppression

Pregnancy

Breastfeeding

Cognitive or physical impairment that limits the ability to perform routine oral and denture care practices