You may have heard of the notion, “Take care of your dentures, and your dentures will take care of you,” a sensible notion indeed. When you maintain your dentures by cleaning them regularly, this significantly increases the lifespan of your dentures.
Apart from regular cleaning, there is one more habit that needs to be curbed when it comes to dentures – sleeping with your dentures. Your dentist near you will recommend that dentures should not be worn 24/7, especially when you sleep. It may lead to consequences that can be unpleasant.
Wearing dentures continuously can lead to bone loss in the jaw. Bone loss in the jaw leads to your dentures becoming loose and losing their comfortable fit. It is natural for bone loss to occur as a result of tooth loss as the bone is no longer stimulated by the teeth during the process of chewing. Unfortunately, dentures do not provide this stimulus for bone growth. The pressure exerted by dentures on the gums and bone ridges may only accelerate bone loss. Pressure placed on the gums can be relieved at night when you remove your dentures before sleeping.
Another reason to remove your dentures at night before sleeping is – dentures can act as a breeding ground for bacteria and fungi, which can result in gum disease, irritation in the mouth, and mouth odors. When you remove your dentures at night, you are depriving these microorganisms the opportunity to carry out their business in your mouth, plus it is a great time to clean your dentures! When you sleep with your dentures on, it increases the risk of oral or gum yeast infections, and it also increases protein levels produced by the white cells leading to inflammation. Eventually, it can lead to other diseases in different parts of the body.
Removing your dentures at night makes it easier to practice everyday hygiene tasks. When you remove the dentures at night (after eating), rinse them and clean them with warm water. Brush the dentures every day with a soft-bristled toothbrush or a dentist-recommended brush, but do not use toothpaste on it, as it can be harsh on the surface of the dentures. You may use antibacterial soap or dental cleanser as recommended by your dentist. Dentists recommended soaking your dentures overnight in clean water or an alkaline peroxide-based solution.
Wearing your dentures to sleep can also cause soreness in your mouth. The pressure exerted by your dentures directly affects the gums and bone in your jaw. This pressure can cause redness and swelling in your gums. Therefore, it is best to remove your dentures at night to avoid inflammation and soreness in the mouth, gums, and jaws.
Wearing your dentures to bed also increases the risk of getting pneumonia. Studies suggest that sleeping with dentures increases the chances of getting pneumonia because of two reasons – the act of swallowing saliva is more difficult with dentures on, therefore in the night, you are prone to force moisture into your lungs, resulting in chest infections like pneumonia. Secondly, as mentioned above, leaving your dentures on 24/7 acts as a breeding ground for bacteria and fungi, which you can inhale and it could cause pneumonia.
When you remove your dentures, make sure to clean your tongue and gums thoroughly. Brushing twice a day and flossing every day counts for maintaining good oral health. It is essential to maintain good oral hygiene with or without your dentures on, as it can affect the quality of your dentures as well.
Removing your dentures at night not only increases the lifespan of your dentures but also helps you stay healthy and fit. For more information on dentures in Cooper City, visit the nearest dental clinic to you. A dentist in Cooper City is happy to educate you on the dos and don’ts of wearing dentures. We are happy to provide dentures near you at our clinic.