Despite their long history, dentures remain a popular choice for restoring smiles after tooth loss. These versatile prosthetics can replace multiple or all missing teeth. With the continuous advancements in dental technology, materials, and techniques, they have become more comfortable and durable than ever before.
It’s not uncommon to get so used to your dentures that you forget you’re wearing them. The convenience of keeping them in your mouth day and night might seem appealing, but it’s important to understand the potential risks. While occasional overnight wear might be safe, making it a regular habit could lead to complications. Read on to discover 3 reasons why it’s crucial to remove your dentures daily!
Reason #1: Increased Bone Loss
Did you know that your body reabsorbs some of the bone mass from your jaw when you lose teeth? Without a root to stimulate new bone growth in the area when you bite down or chew, it begins to atrophy. Meanwhile, dentures rely on a firm suction against the ridges of your mouth to remain in place. As your jawbone thins, they can become loose or dislodged because they don’t fit as well. Unfortunately, putting additional pressure on your gum tissue and bony ridges only accelerates the degenerative process.
You should take your dentures out to sleep every night to give your mouth a much-needed reprieve. If it doesn’t have a chance to rest, you’ll speed up the rate of bone loss and will need to pay to reline or replace your ill-fitting prosthetics sooner rather than later.
Reason #2: Gum Disease
Your mouth is full of germs that love to cling to the surface of your dentures. That’s why even if you have no teeth left, it’s important to maintain a daily oral hygiene routine to prevent potential problems like periodontal disease. Bacteria can become trapped against your gums and thrive, causing unhealthy plaque buildup. This can lead to gingivitis (or worse!) in addition to bad breath.
You should remove your dentures to clean them thoroughly twice daily and take them out to rinse them after every meal. This ensures that leftover food particles and microbes are regularly cleared away to keep your artificial teeth and your grin in excellent condition.
Reason #3: Denture Stomatitis
If the soft tissues in your mouth never get any relief from the pressure of wearing your restoration, then you could develop an uncomfortable condition known as denture stomatitis. This inflammatory response tends to occur in the areas covered by your dentures, like your gums and the roof of your mouth. They can become red, swollen, and irritated enough that it hurts to try to wear your artificial teeth.
Instead, leave your restoration in a glass of water or a special cleaning solution overnight. This keeps them moist to retain their shape and can kill up to 99% of unwanted bacteria. Plus, it gives your gums and other tissues several hours of rest and recovery so that you’ll be ready to put your clean dentures back in the next day.
Although you can probably get away with forgetting to take your dentures out now and then, you should regularly remove them to give your grin a well-earned break!
About the Practice
At Michelsen Dental, patients benefit from a team of dentists who work together to offer a full range of services to meet all your dental needs. They take their time to get to know you so that they can create fully individualized treatments for your unique circumstances. They focus on providing high-quality, compassionate care using state-of-the-art equipment for optimal results. If you think it may be time to reline or replace your dentures, you can request an appointment on the website or by calling (714) 492-1169.
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