Picture it. It’s been a long day. You’ve been up since sunrise, running the house, working, and putting out more than your share of metaphorical fires. When bedtime finally rolls around, the last thing you want to do is clean your dentures. What’s the harm in just brushing them and leaving them in your mouth overnight, right? Unfortunately, wrong. While it’s normal to be exhausted at night, it’s very important to always properly care for your dentures no matter how sleepy you are. Here’s why.
Keep it Clean
While it is okay to brush your dentures while they’re still in your mouth for quick touch-ups, your prosthetics need to be removed for a complete cleaning at least once a day, no excuses. Failing to do so could cause them to smell bad, develop stains, and even to increase your risk of oral health problems like gum disease and thrush. Therefore, no matter how tired you are, be sure to take them out them each night before bed and clean them well.
Soak it Up
After you’ve cleaned your dentures, it’s time to soak them in water or denture soak overnight. This will keep them hydrated so they don’t dry out and warp. This can cause them to stop fitting you properly, requiring a reline. It can also cause irreparable cracks that will require complete replacement.
Stay Safe
Ultimately, the most important reason to remove your dentures is for your own safety. Dentures should not be worn 24/7, because your mouth needs time to rest while you sleep. When you are missing teeth, your jawbones don’t get the stimulation they need to stay intact. With time, they will begin to deteriorate, eventually requiring a bone grafting procedure.
When you wear dentures, they help stimulate the bones and slow this degradation, however if you don’t give your jaws a break from them it can have the opposite effect: your bones can deteriorate even faster! Thus, to protect your jaws and tissues, be sure to take them out overnight every single night, regardless of how exhausted you are.
Remember, your dentures weren’t meant to be worn round the clock. Your mouth and jawbones need a break from wearing them, and you cannot completely clean them while they remain in your mouth. To get the most of them and keep your mouth healthy, be sure to remove them daily for cleaning and soak them overnight.
About Dr. Kramer
Dr. Paul J. Kramer understands that oral health doesn’t just affect your mouth, but it also affects your entire body. He is committed to working with each patient to help them achieve both optimal wellness and their individual oral health goals. If you are looking to replace lost teeth with the help of dentures, schedule an appointment with Kramer Dental.
To get started, please visit our website, or call us today at 302-436-5133.