DENTURES CAN FIGHT INFECTIONS IN OLDER ADULTS Leave a comment

Common oral infections in older adults – such as candidiasis – can be prevented with ‘rechargeable’ bacteria-killing and fungi-killing dentures, designed by researchers at Manchester Metropolitan University.

Candidiasis is a yeast infection that affects many people who wear dentures, causing difficulty eating and drinking – and can lead to serious problems in the blood, heart, brain, eyes and bones.

Led by Dr Lubomira Tosheva in the School of Science and the Environment and Dr Sladjana Malic in the School of Healthcare Science, an interdisciplinary research team has developed an acrylic resin for dentures that actively fights bacteria and fungi in the mouth. The dental resin uses a slow-release mechanism, enabling it to work consistently for 45 days.