When the time comes to go to bed, it can be tempting to just drift off to sleep while still wearing your dentures. However, if you want to protect your mouth and take proper care of your prosthesis, it’s highly recommended that you instead let your dentures soak overnight in a specialized cleansing solution. Here are 4 reasons why this simple step is important for keeping your replacement teeth in excellent shape.
1. It Helps Kill Harmful Bacteria
Just like natural teeth, dentures are a potential target for harmful bacteria. These organisms can contribute to all kinds of problems, from bad breath to the buildup of harmful plaque. Even if you’re in the habit of brushing your dentures thoroughly, you may not be able to remove all of the bacteria that have built up on them throughout the day.
Soaking your dentures with an antibacterial solution will go a long way toward getting rid of bacteria, including those that are hiding in the pores of the prosthesis. This ensures that your dentures will be as clean as possible the next time you put them in your mouth.
2. It Lowers the Risk of Infections Occurring
Dentures that aren’t cleaned as often as they should be are considered a risk factor for oral thrush. This condition (which is also sometimes called denture stomatitis) is an infection caused by the fungus Candida albicans, which can build up on your dentures as well as anywhere else in your mouth. The symptoms of oral thrush include redness and soreness, lesions on the roof of your mouth, and pain or difficulty swallowing.
Wearing your dentures all the time will only make it easier for Candida albicans to thrive. The best way to minimize the chance of an infection occurring is to get in the habit of soaking your dentures every night.
3. It Lets Your Gums Rest
When you wear your dentures, they constantly put pressure on your gums. If you don’t take them out, the pressure could lead to painful sores as well as swelling. As such, it’s recommended that you give your gums a break from dentures for at least 6 to 8 hours every day. Since you don’t actually need to wear your dentures while you’re asleep, nighttime is the ideal opportunity for this break.
4. It Keeps Your Dentures in the Right Shape
Your dentures need to be kept moist at all times. If they ever dry out, they could potentially lose their shape, causing them to no longer fit properly. As such, when you take your dentures out at night, soaking them will help ensure that they’ll still be in the right shape when you put them back in the next morning.
About the Author
Dr. Diana Vazquez went to the Baylor College of Dentistry. She has experience in many different aspects of general dentistry. This includes removable prosthetics (dentures) for helping patients replace their missing teeth and enjoy complete smiles again. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Vazquez at Soleil Dental in Dallas, visit her website or call (214) 304-2112.