Top Reasons NOT to Sleep in Your Dentures

Dentures are one of the most time-tested and trusted ways to replace a full arch of missing teeth. Modern denture models represent a remarkable replica of real teeth and allow patients to speak, eat and smile with confidence. While these are highly valued benefits during the day, there’s no need for your dentures at night. In fact, sleeping in your dentures only causes drawbacks.

Your nighttime sleep is a chance for your body to rest and rejuvenate, and this includes your mouth. If you wear dentures, your oral tissues need a break from the pressures of your false teeth, and they also need the anti-bacterial agents of your saliva to stay healthy. While it can may be easier to just leave in your dentures as you climb into bed after a long day, don’t deprive your mouth of these much-needed hours of recovery at night.

If you leave your dentures in during your sleep on a regular basis, you may set yourself up for the following consequences:

More Frequent Relines.

The bone resorption process that occurs after missing teeth may only be accelerated if you wear your dentures 24 hours a day. Since the underlying bone will receive constant pressure, the progression of bone loss may occur quicker than someone who removes his or her dentures at night. When the bony ridge under your denture loses density and form, your dentures will begin to feel loose or fit differently and thus require a reline or adjustment.

Higher Risk for Disease and Infection.

By not taking out your dentures and properly cleaning them every night, you may be trapping harmful bacteria inside your mouth and allowing it to breed. This makes your mouth vulnerable to gum inflammation and infections that can travel to the rest of your body.

Bad Breath.

Nothing can make morning breath worse than dirty dentures. Eliminate the excess oral bacteria in your mouth by removing your dentures before you sleep.

Irritations that Won’t Heal.

At Carolina Commons Dentistry, we want to give patients every chance to experience comfortable and healthy teeth replacement. Contact our restorative dental team today to learn more tip for proper dentures care at home.