Best Ways to Care for Your Dentures

You have been told to take your dentures out while sleeping, and this may not be something you feel comfortable with. So, let's discuss the reasons behind taking a denture out to determine what is best for you. 

Can you sleep with a denture?

The short answer is yes, you can sleep with a denture. However, doing so can come at a cost. Sleeping with a denture doesn't give your gum and bone tissue downtime to repair itself. The constant pressure of a denture upon the bone can cause your bone to reabsorb faster. 

Essentially, it can cause bone loss; this over time, can lead to changes in the shape of your face and cause loss of denture support. 

Additionally, sleeping with a denture without allowing the tissues a break is somewhat like never taking your socks off. Just like people get thrush on their feet, it is also really common in constant denture wear. Without time to rest the tissue, you risk developing infections, especially denture stomatitis, which is thrush, a candida infection of denture wearers. 

Thrush is really common in constant denture wear. This is greatly prevented by allowing your tissues to breathe, so candida is less likely given the opportunity to cause infection.

Denture care

Taking stellar care of your denture is essential for a long-lasting denture and good oral health. The denture must be removed regularly for proper cleaning, as food and bacteria also accumulate between the gum and denture. Soaking your denture helps to further cleanse and remove stains. Nighttime can be a good time to soak your dentures. 

Removing your dentures during bedtime will help prevent many of these challenges. While it is a personal choice, it is advised that you give your tissue time to breathe and repair. 

As mentioned earlier, wearing dentures constantly can cause accelerated bone loss, which, over time, changes the fit of your denture. A poor fit can cause discomfort, sores, and infection. 

While it might be tempting to leave your dentures in overnight, there are clear benefits to removing them before bed. 

Giving your mouth a break, preventing infections, maintaining good oral hygiene, and ensuring a proper fit are just some of the reasons why sleeping without dentures is the best practice. 

Remove your dentures as part of your nightly routine, and remember to soak them in a denture cleanser to reduce stain and to keep them clean and fresh. We specialize in dentures in Salem MA reach out to our friendly office if you are interested in dentures or other tooth replacement options.