Is It Necessary to Remove My Dentures Overnight?
One of the most common questions we get at The Denture & Implant Centre is “can I leave my dentures in while I sleep?”
On the surface, leaving your dentures in overnight may seem harmless and more convenient — we can’t remove our natural teeth while we sleep, so why should I take out my dentures?
However, the truth is that leaving your dentures in while you sleep can have negative health effects that can lead to more problems down the road.
In this article, we’re going to examine why it’s important to take out your dentures every evening and give your mouth a much-needed break.
Increased Risk of Pneumonia
A study published in the International & American Associations for Dental Research found that elderly patients who slept without removing their dentures were up to 2.3 times more likely to develop pneumonia.
Pneumonia is a serious infection in the lungs that causes them to fill with fluid or pus, making it extremely difficult to breathe. It can lead to life threatening complications — especially for people over the age of 65.
Removing your dentures overnight is an easy way to reduce the risk of pneumonia.
Bone Resorption
Bone resorption is a slow process where your jaw bone begins to shrink as a result of lost teeth — without stimulation from your teeth, your body breaks down the bone causing a loss of volume and density.
When you wear your dentures throughout the night, it increases inflammation in the jaw. Inflammation leads to a faster rate of resorption — meaning you may require denture relines or new dentures more frequently. Bone resorption can also cause your face to sink and make you look older than you actually are.
Slowing bone resorption is key to long-term success with dentures. Removing your dentures every evening is one of the best practices to slow the process of bone resorption.
Pain & Sore Spots
Dentures put consistent pressure on your gums and jaw. If you leave them in overnight, you may find yourself waking up with more pressure points, sore spots, and pain in your mouth. Over prolonged periods, you may find that your dentures become more uncomfortable.
It’s important to give your gums a much-needed rest so that your dentures can be used comfortably the following day.
Oral Hygiene
Removing your dentures overnight give you an opportunity to clean them properly. Dentures have certain hygiene requirements that are difficult to meet without removing them.
It’s important that you clean your dentures before bed to prevent the build up of bacteria, plaque, and tartar. Failing to properly clean your dentures can lead to foul smells and an increased risk of infections.
Make sure you clean your dentures with a soft bristled toothbrush and denture specific toothpaste. Once your dentures have been cleaned, leave them in a mix of warm (not hot) water and denture soaking solution while you sleep — taking these measures will ensure that your dentures stay clean, smelling fresh, and looking new.
Life With Dentures Made Simple
At the Denture & Implant Centre, we hope to make your life with dentures as easy as possible. We offer expert advice and the best products on the market today to ensure our patients leave happy after every visit.
Do you have more questions about life with dentures? Contact our Red Deer offices and schedule and appointment today.
