What best describes the etiology of denture stomatitis?

• A. Complex and multifactorial, especially Candida
• B. Caused solely by poor denture hygiene
• C. Due to mechanical trauma only
• D. Unknown cause

Answer: (A)

Denture stomatitis arises from a combination of factors in the environment under the denture and the host’s biology, with Candida species playing a central role. The prosthesis creates a sheltered niche where biofilms can develop on both the denture surface and the mucosa, and Candida albicans is the most common organism involved. But it’s not just one trigger: continuous denture wear, reduced saliva, local mucosal irritation, and systemic factors such as diabetes or immune compromise all contribute. Poor hygiene alone can worsen the condition, and mechanical irritation can aggravate it, but neither fully explains all cases. Unknown causes are unlikely because there’s consistent evidence linking Candida involvement with the inflammatory mucosal response. So the best description is that the etiology is complex and multifactorial, with Candida as a key contributor.