Despite improving leaps and bounds over the dentures of yesteryear, one thing with dentures hasn’t changed — you shouldn’t sleep with them. Unless you have dental implants, denturists and dentists alike recommend removing partial or full dentures at night and avoiding sleeping with them.
But why shouldn’t you sleep with your dentures? What happens if you do leave your dentures in at night? Are there any long-term effects? Let’s start with the basics by covering why you shouldn’t sleep with your dentures.
Why You Shouldn’t Sleep With Your Dentures
While they may give you more confidence and make you feel better, it’s not advisable to sleep with your dentures at night. Whether full or partial, leaving your dentures in overnight can cause issues, so it’s best to err on the side of caution. These issues could range from anything from sore gums in the morning to an increased risk of disease and illnesses like pneumonia. Not to mention the higher risk of gum disease and tooth decay.
Not taking your dentures out at night means you’re not properly cleaning and caring for them or your gums. This creates a breeding ground for bacteria and can contribute to canker sores, mouth ulcers, and oral inflammation. So, do yourself and your dentures a favor and avoid sleeping with your dentures at night. Take your dentures out before bed, clean them, and practice proper oral hygiene. Your gums will thank you later.
The Benefits of Taking Your Dentures Out at Night
In addition to avoiding the above issues, taking your dentures out at night can actually be beneficial for your overall oral health. Over prolonged periods of wear, your dentures put pressure on your gums and the jawbone underneath it, gradually wearing it away. This, in turn, leads to your dentures becoming loose over time as a result of the bone loss, which increases discomfort and the chances of them slipping.
If you want to make sure your dentures fit properly without constant visits to your denturist and prevent premature bone loss, be sure to take your dentures out at night and follow your denturists’ advice on overnight denture care.
How to Take Care of Your Dentures Overnight
Speaking of overnight denture care, the best thing you can do to keep both your mouth and your dentures healthy is to remove them every night and clean them thoroughly. However, cleaning your dentures isn’t as simple as running them under some water and calling it a night. If you use denture adhesive, you’ll want to start by gargling your mouth with warm water to loosen the adhesive and make it easier to take your dentures out.
Next, remove your dentures and brush them with a soft toothbrush just like you would brush your natural teeth. Use specialized denture paste or non-abrasive toothpaste to avoid scratching or damaging your dentures. Depending on the condition of your gums, you may also want to brush your gums with a soft toothbrush or use a specialized oral rinse to prevent bacteria build-up. If you wear partial dentures, brush your natural teeth just like you would always do, taking extra care not to brush too hard around exposed gums.
Once the cleaning is out of the way, simply soak your dentures in warm water or a denture cleaning solution overnight. Be sure to rinse them thoroughly with fresh water before placing them back into your mouth the next morning.
See a Professional Denturist in Calgary
If you’re curious to learn more about dentures and how to take care of them, don’t hesitate to get in touch with Hillhurst Denture Clinic. Contact us at 403-283-1272 or leave a message online to book your free consultation today.
