Dentures are a great option if you are looking to replace missing teeth, and they have come a long way from the poorly made dentures that our grandparents wore. While dentures are great for opening up more food options, giving you a more natural smile, and speaking more clearly, the one major downside is that you cannot keep your dentures in while you sleep. While it may seem like an inconvenience to have to remove your dentures every night before bed, not doing so can cause a number of issues.
Bone Loss
Some dentures, such as The Denture Fountain of Youth™ are specifically crafted to protect your bone and won’t accelerate bone loss during normal daytime use. However, sleeping in your dentures can actually accelerate bone loss. This is because your dentures put pressure on your gums and the bone underneath, and this pressure can accelerate the resorption of bone.
Bone loss can cause your dentures to fit looser than normal, increasing the likelihood of embarrassing slippage, and limiting the foods you can eat. Mini dental implants are a great option if you find that your dentures are not longer fitting like they used to.
Bacteria Growth
Do you find that your mouth tastes weird, or that you are having a hard time fighting bad morning breath? It is likely bacteria. The surface between your dentures and your gums are a perfect place for bacteria to grow, and this can not only lead to bad breath but also gum disease. Not taking your dentures out at night means that they’re not able to get a long, bacteria-free soak. Instead, they’re in your mouth when your antibacterial saliva levels drop, encouraging growth.
Additionally, you increase your risk of developing thrush, an oral yeast infection.
Denture Stomatitis
It is normal for your mouth to be a little dry during sleep, but dentures can severely inhibit the flow of saliva in your mouth. This, in turn, can lead to denture stomatitis, a condition where the gum tissue under the denture becomes reddened, inflamed, and infected with yeast. The best way to combat denture stomatitis is to remove your dentures at night and clean them regularly.
Increased Risk of Sickness
Because bacteria can thrive between your dentures and your gums, you actually expose yourself to serious illness if you leave your dentures in at night. In fact, one study indicated that seniors who left their dentures in at night were 2.3 times more likely to die or be hospitalized from pneumonia than those who took their dentures out at night.
Be Safe, Be Hygienic
If you have dentures, you should make it a habit to cleaning them manually every night with a brush, as well as cleaning your gums with a very soft brush or moist washcloth. You should also soak your dentures in water or an alkaline peroxide-based solution every night while you sleep. If you are looking for a great alternative to dentures that can be maintained much like your natural teeth, dental implants are the best option. The healing after the procedure is relatively minor, and dental implants can actually help stimulate bone growth in your jaw. If you live in the Philadelphia area and are interested in FOY Dentures™ or dental implants, please consider visiting Dr. Siegel at The Dental Excellence of Blue Bell. Give us a call at (610) 272-0828 to schedule an appointment today.
