Today’s dentures are so comfortable that some people like to wear them for days, but is this a good idea? While dentures can change a patient’s life for the better, they require regular maintenance and cleaning to work properly and prevent infection. Failing to remove your dentures for too long can have serious consequences for your oral health. Read on to learn why it’s necessary to give your mouth and your dentures a little time apart every day.
Why Should I Take My Dentures Out?
Dentures need to be removed from the mouth for several reasons, mainly regular maintenance and cleansing. Failure to perform this basic upkeep can lead to illness of the mouth and deterioration of the appliance. Some unfortunate results of constant denture wear include:
Infection
If you wear your dentures constantly, you separate the tissue they cover from both hygienic measures and the mouth’s natural cleaning process. Bacteria like warm, wet, dark places, and the space between your gums and your denture provides them with the perfect area to multiply. While these bacterial block parties can cause foul breath, they can also lead to more serious health concerns.
One of these is denture stomatitis, during which the parts of the mouth covered by the dentures become inflamed. In addition to making the dentures uncomfortable, chronic inflammation can suppress the immune system throughout the entire body, leaving the patient vulnerable to other infections. An oral infection like this can provide germs with a path into the lungs, resulting in colds, pneumonia, and other respiratory infections.
Bone loss
Dentures put stress on the bone structure holding them in place, so they must be removed regularly to give the mouth a much-needed break. Without this rest, the bone mass of the jaw will be resorbed into the body at an accelerated rate, resulting in quicker deterioration of bone density and quality. Loss of bone mass in the jaw will also negatively affect the way your dentures fit.
Tartar buildup
Over a day’s use, dentures accumulate bacteria and plaque that will produce tartar if left to build up. Soon after forming, tartar becomes hard and difficult to clean away, affecting the appearance, fit, and smell of your dentures. Removing your dentures every day allows you to give them and your mouth a thorough cleaning.
When Should I Take My Dentures Out?
Though your dentist might suggest that you wear your dentures continuously for the first few days after getting them, you should remove them daily once your mouth is fully adjusted to having them. The tissues supporting the dentures need six to eight hours of rest every day. For this reason, most patients remove their dentures before going to bed. Once removed, dentures should be thoroughly cleaned and soaked in a dentist-approved cleanser. They should also be brushed in the morning to remove any bacteria that have accumulated overnight.
Your dentures work hard all day to keep you to keep your smile looking its best and functioning at peak capacity, so they deserve some rest at night. Proper denture care can help keep your mouth healthy for life and your restoration beautiful for up to fifteen years.
About the Author
Dr. Spiro Saati earned his Doctor of Dental Medicine at the Boston University Goldman School of Dental Medicine. He currently serves as a member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, the American Dental Association, and the American Academy of Periodontology. His office provides services including preventive, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry including denture treatments. For more information on proper denture care, contact him online or dial (978) 531-2185.