Is it OK to sleep with dentures?
Everybody has bedtime rituals. For some, it’s as simple as only brushing their teeth. Others, however, have a ritual of taking their dentures out at night. You might be wondering, “is removing dentures at night a ritual or a requirement?”
We’ll be tackling this question in detail as well as providing information on topics such as the benefits of removing dentures at night and the dangers of wearing dentures at night.
The Benefits of Removing Dentures at Night
Preserving Your Smile and Oral Health
Just like you, dentures need a break! Removing dentures at night provides you and your dentures with benefits that aren’t possible when you sleep with dentures. There are two primary benefits of this practice.
1. Removing Your Dentures at Night Enhances Denture Longevity
First, taking your dentures out at night allows them to soak in a solution that cleans them and prevents distortions and dryness (which damage the dentures). Make sure to brush your dentures before placing them in the solution to get any plaque and germs off. Clean and healthy dentures will last significantly longer than neglected dentures – don’t lose your beautiful smile!
2. Removing your Dentures at Night Promotes Optimal Oral Hygiene
Second, removing dentures before sleep provides you with a multitude of hygiene benefits. Saliva is able to make its way throughout your mouth during sleep, which acts as a cleaning agent for your gums. Clean gums are excellent for blood circulation and your mouth will be kept happy and healthy!
3. Removing Dentures Before Bed Can Make You More Comfortable
Sleeping with dentures can be downright uncomfortable for some people, leading to sore spots or pressure sores. Discomfort caused by wearing dentures at night can lead to restless nights and frequent awakenings. By incorporating the practice of removing dentures into your nightly routine, you’ll likely find that your sleep quality improves.
The Dangers of Wearing Dentures at Night
Understanding the Risks to Your Dentures and Health
Going to sleep with dentures poses issues not only for the structural integrity of the dentures but also for your health. Sleeping in dentures restricts natural entities, like saliva, from circulating which may cause infections and disease.
1. Sleeping with Dentures can lead to Increased Risk of Pneumonia
One American study found that sleep with dentures doubles the risk of pneumonia in very elderly patients. The study was conducted over the course of three years with men and women around the age of 87. The 48 pneumonia-related incidents (20 deaths and 28 acute hospitalizations) that occurred during this period demonstrated that sleeping in dentures increases the risk of pneumonia 2.3-fold.
2. Sleeping with Dentures Can Lead to Poor Oral Hygiene
Poor hygiene is another reason to avoid sleeping with dentures. Plaque can easily build up on the false teeth during sleep and pose issues for their integrity. Furthermore, the plaque caught between the dentures and your gums may cause gum inflammation and disease in addition to tongue discomfort.
3. Sleeping with Dentures Can Damage Them Due to Nighttime Teeth Grinding
A final reason to avoid wearing dentures at night is grinding. The integrity of dentures and gums will rapidly deteriorate if you are prone to nighttime teeth grinding. Teeth grinding may cause gum infections among other unwanted hygiene issues.
Bottom line: take them out before you suffer damage to your dentures or health!
Sleeping Without Dentures is Uncomfortable! What Now?
People who need to sleep with dentures in for comfort reasons are not unheard of. We recommend getting in touch with one of our specialists and they can recommend strategies you can follow to keep your dentures in at night while preventing hygiene issues and unwanted denture damage.
We still recommend, however, that you remove your dentures at night, place them in the appropriate solution, and brush your gums softly when you wake up to flush your gums and keep them healthy!
Belleville’s Trusted Denture Clinic
Belleville Denture Clinic is Belleville’s most respected denture clinic. Our family-owned and operated practice is dedicated to your health and comfort. We provide a variety of denture-related services and we’re confident that you’ll find us a good match for your needs!
We’re happy to offer prospective patients a free consultation! Don’t wait! Contact us now and we can help you re-discover your smile!