It’s a familiar scenario. You’re in bed watching TV, nodding off, and you realize that you left your dentures in. You’d love nothing more than to roll over and go to sleep. But, you may want to think twice before calling it a night. Hopefully, this article will compel you with reasons why it’s a good idea to sit up, take them out, and soak your prosthesis overnight!
Keep Your Dentures Clean
Throughout the day, food particles, plaque, and bacteria can accumulate on your dentures. Simply rinsing them with water may not remove all this buildup.
Soaking your dentures in a denture-cleaning solution according to the product instructions can help loosen debris and reduce odor-causing bacteria. Before soaking, brush your dentures gently with a denture brush and a cleaner designed for dentures.
Avoid regular toothpaste, which may be too abrasive and can scratch the denture surface. Always rinse your dentures thoroughly before putting them back in your mouth.
Prevent Your Dentures from Drying Out
Many conventional dentures contain acrylic materials that can become dry when left out of water for extended periods. Drying may contribute to changes in shape, potentially affecting how well the appliance fits.
Keeping your dentures moist overnight helps preserve their shape and function. However, not every denture material has identical care requirements, so follow your dentist’s instructions and the manufacturer’s recommendations.
Use an appropriate soaking solution or clean water, depending on the type of denture you have. Never use hot or boiling water, as heat can warp your appliance.
Give Your Mouth a Break
Wearing dentures continuously, including while sleeping, can irritate the tissues beneath them. Overnight removal gives your gums and other supporting tissues time without the pressure of the appliance.
Sleeping in dentures has also been associated with a greater risk of oral inflammation and denture-related infections. Removing them at night, cleaning your mouth, and maintaining good oral hygiene can help reduce these risks.
If you have full dentures, gently clean your gums, tongue, and palate with a soft toothbrush. If you wear partial dentures, continue cleaning your remaining natural teeth carefully.
Help Your Dentures Last Longer
Dentures represent an investment in your comfort and quality of life. Daily cleaning and appropriate overnight storage help prevent buildup, staining, and damage caused by improper handling.
Regular dental visits are equally important. Your mouth can change over time, meaning dentures may eventually need adjustment, relining, or replacement. Contact your dentist if your appliance becomes loose, causes sore spots, or develops cracks.
Soaking your dentures overnight helps keep them clean, protects their shape, and gives your mouth time to recover from wearing them throughout the day. Remove your dentures before bed unless your dentist has advised otherwise for a specific reason and follow the recommended cleaning and storage routine.
About the Author
Dr. Nancy Cabansag has spent nearly 20 years of her life putting smiles on people’s faces. She is a graduate of the Loma Linda University School of Dentistry in California and continues learning through ongoing education courses and active memberships in the American Dental Association and the Texas Dental Association. For more information about her Arlington practice, Encore Dentistry, and the services Dr. Cabansag and her team offer, visit us online or call (817) 561-2161.