Upon receiving your new dentures in NE Calgary, you might have many questions concerning what you can do and how you should handle your new smile. Two questions that are frequently asked by patients include: “What happens if I sleep in my dentures?” and “Can I wear my partial denture to bed?”
In this post, we explore how to approach wearing your dentures; and of course, if you have further queries, don’t hesitate to contact your local dentist.
Can You Wear Dentures All Day and Night?
It makes sense that you would want to keep your dentures in at night. Unfortunately, it can result in the following four problems:
- Bone loss – While wearing dentures at night actually hastens the normal process of bone loss, wearing them during the day protects your jawbone. This makes it more likely that you will experience facial changes and loose, ill-fitting dentures than you otherwise would.
- Prevent bacterial growth – Leaving your dentures in can lead to foul breath and gum disease because bacteria can build up on them. Aside from allowing your soft tissues to breathe and giving them a “bacteria-free break,” removing your dentures every night will keep them far healthier.
- Decreases the lifespan of your dentures – At night, your mouth naturally becomes much drier. You can secure your dentures from cracking and keep them in better overall condition by soaking them in liquid.
- Increases the likelihood of getting colds and other illnesses – Spending the night with germs in your mouth and throat increases your chance of getting colds, infections, and denture stomatitis, a fungal infection that causes red, swollen gums.
What Happens If You Wear Dentures All Night?
The answer to the question of whether you should keep your dentures on while you are sleeping is no. Your dentures may enhance your confidence and make you feel better about your mouth.
It is advised that you remove your dentures at night to give your gums a break if you wear them while sleeping. Even if you are unsure if partial dentures can be worn while sleeping, it is still preferable to remove them. According to studies, keeping dentures on while you sleep boosts your risk of developing diseases and conditions, including pneumonia, oral hygiene problems, and problems with gum and tongue plaque.
Additionally, if you don’t remove your dentures at night, clean your teeth, and take care of your gums, you’re encouraging the growth of odor – and irritant-producing oral bacteria and fungi. Our dentist in NE Calgary might recommend, if at all possible, avoiding doing so.
How to Care for Your Dentures When You Are in Bed
Even though the issue of whether or not you can wear dentures to bed has been covered, it is still unclear what you should do with them while you sleep. Having your dentures in while you sleep can result in infections. You must take care of your dentures overnight, even though you won’t be sleeping with them.
Having an effective daily cleaning plan in place is crucial for maintaining the health of it after you have received the dentures near you. Bacteria or plaque on your dentures should be removed before you get into bed so that they are clean and fresh when you put them back in the next morning.
Your routine ought to consist of:
- Cleaning your dentures by brushing them
- Leaving your dentures in warm (not boiling) water overnight
- Dentures should be rinsed in the morning before being reinserted into the mouth.
Consult Our Dentist in Calgary
You can learn more about your maintenance and care regimen from our NE Calgary dentist. And always remember to take out and clean your dentures before bed to protect yourself from bacteria and infection.
For more information on dentures, you can reach out to Temple Square Dental and book your appointment. We’re excited to hear from you!