New Haven Dental Group is a 42 North Dental Care, PLLC practice and is owned and operated by dentists Dr. Samuel Shames, DDM. and Dr. Ronald Weissman, DDM. Gentle Dental is supported by 42 North Dental, LLC, a dental support organization that provides non-clinical administrative and business support services to the practice. 42 North Dental, LLC does not own or operate the dental practice or employ dentists to provide dental services. Find more information about 42 North Dental, LLC and the dental practices it supports at 42northdental.com.
Modern dentures are comfortable, beautiful, and highly functional. After you adapt to using your prosthetic, you might like it so much that you are tempted to wear it around the clock! But is it a good idea to keep your dentures in your mouth 24/7? No, it is not. This blog post explains why removing your dentures daily is important.
Keep Up with Oral Hygiene
If you never remove your dentures, you will not have the opportunity to thoroughly clean them. Food particles and bacteria might collect underneath them, leading to bad breath and tissue irritation.
In contrast, removing your prosthetic at night allows you to clean it thoroughly and brush your gums, tongue, and any remaining teeth. You should also soak your dentures in a cleansing solution each night. This process helps to prevent problems and keep your smile fresh and healthy.
Give Your Gums a Break
Your gums need time to recover from the pressure exerted by your dentures throughout the day. If you leave your dentures in overnight, you may experience sore spots, irritation, and swelling. Taking out your dentures before bed promotes good circulation and allows the soft tissues in your mouth to rest and remain healthy, which supports comfortable denture use during your most active hours.
Protect Your Bone
Constantly wearing removable dentures can contribute to bone resorption in your jaw. In other words, it could shrink and change shape faster than originally anticipated. This might lead to more frequent adjustments for your dentures. Removing your prosthetic nightly helps to slow this process so your jawbone maintains its shape for as long as possible.
Avoid Potential Respiratory Issues
Sleeping with dentures can increase your risk of respiratory problems. Bacteria and fungi may accumulate on your prosthetic, especially when it is not cleaned regularly. This buildup can lead to respiratory infections, such as pneumonia, particularly among older adults or those with compromised immune systems.
Dentures That You Can Wear All the Time
If you love the idea of having teeth in your mouth all the time, talk to your dentist. You might be a candidate for a different type of tooth replacement: implant dentures. These are supported by prosthetic tooth roots that are secured in the jawbone. Some types of implant dentures are permanently attached to their supporting implants and are only removed when you visit the dentist. Implant dentures also tend to be stronger and longer-lasting than their traditional counterparts.
Regular dentures are not meant to be worn 24/7! Follow your dentist’s directions so you can take good care of both your prosthetic teeth and your oral tissues.
Meet the Practice
New Haven Dental Group has been serving our community for more than four decades. We pride ourselves on offering top-quality care in a pleasant environment. Dentures, implant dentures, and denture maintenance are among the many services that we can provide. If you have questions about how to get the most out of your prosthetic teeth, we would be pleased to speak with you. Contact our New Haven, CT, office at 203-712-4068.