Most of us have our usual bedtime routine- washing our face and brushing our teeth, taking out contact lenses, and putting on pyjamas are just a few examples of steps that many people take before going to bed. For some, dentures are included.
If you wear dentures, removing them and soaking them overnight is another vital part of a bedtime routine. Dentures, like makeup and contact lenses, don’t belong in your bed. Just like sleeping with a face full of makeup isn’t good or healthy for your skin, falling asleep with your dentures has similar implications and can result in more problems than just bad morning breath.
Your periodontist may have given you the green light to sleep with your dentures on the first night as wearing them for the first 24 hours is standard practice to ensure that they settle comfortably in your mouth. However, once that 24-hour period has passed, sleeping in your dentures is not recommended.
For one thing, dentures are prone to drying out, and sleeping with them can speed up that process. Have you ever woken up with a dry mouth? Dried dentures are more prone to warping and cracking and can become ill-fitting if left in overnight. Soaking them in solution not only cleans them but also helps them to retain their shape.
Wearing your dentures while you sleep can cause health problems. Aside from the obvious risk of plaque-forming around the artificial teeth and on your tongue, sleeping in your dentures causes bacteria to collect in your mouth, between your gums and your dentures, which can make you sick. Dentures obstruct the natural flow of saliva in your mouth. The saliva’s job is to clean up and kill bacteria on your gums, something it won’t be able to do if your dentures are in the way. Sleeping in your dentures can potentially put you at a higher risk of developing pneumonia. However, if sleeping without your dentures is too uncomfortable, consult with your denturists; they may be able to fit you with a device that you can keep in while you’re sleeping. In the event, you do end up sleeping with them on, remove and gently clean and soak them for a little while before reinserting them.
Teeth grinding is another issue. If you grind your teeth, sleeping with dentures will eventually wear down the artificial teeth as you might find yourself in the market for a new pair sooner than expected. You might be a teeth grinder and not even know it.
To keep your dentures (and your mouth) in the best shape possible, it’s best to follow the advice of the dental professionals at True Fit Denture Clinic. Always remove, gently brush, then soak your dentures before bed. For additional advice on how best to care for your dentures, or if you think dentures are right for you, speak to the trusted professionals at True Fit Denture Clinic.
