Many individuals who wear dentures, retainers and other oral appliances may not be aware of the potential oral health concerns associated with these prosthetic devices. Dentures and retainers are prone to hosting various bacteria and fungi including the troublesome Candida species, C. albicans. When dentures are not cleaned and stored correctly, these microorganisms can flourish, posing a risk to oral health. Candida species are particularly concerning for denture wearers as they readily adhere to denture surfaces and oral tissues, and an overgrowth of the fungi can result in denture stomatitis. This infection can manifest as inflammation, redness  and irritation in the mouth. 

Castor oil is a natural remedy that may help mitigate the risk of denture stomatitis. Several research studies in recent years have shown that cleaning dentures with castor oil can help combat the proliferation of bacteria and fungi including Candida. In one study from the Brazilian Oral Research Journal, soaking contaminated acrylic teeth in a solution containing 10% castor oil for 20 minutes led to a reduction in Candida and harmful bacteria like Streptococcus mutans and Staphylococcus aureus. A study published in the Journal of Oral Rehabilitation involving 30 older individuals with denture-related stomatitis showed reductions in clinical signs of stomatitis and inflammation with use of a castor oil-containing mouthwash. Proper denture care is essential for oral and overall health, and castor oil has shown promise as a natural solution for reducing the risk of denture stomatitis and related oral health issues. 

Alina Hornfeldt is the co-owner of Mastel's Health Foods in Saint Paul. Mastel’s mission is to provide a safe and welcoming environment to help customers achieve their health goals through education, guaranteed high-quality supplements and natural products. Mastel’s has been serving the community with their health and wellness needs for over 55 years. More info: www.mastels.com.