Dentures are an incredibly popular and effective way to replace one, many, or all of a patient’s lost teeth, and today’s appliances are so incredibly comfortable that many people wearing them forget that they are there. Unfortunately, this can lead some people to think that they can wear their dentures continuously for days on end without any negative consequences. Here’s a brief guide to how this can cause a host of oral health problems and why it is so important to soak your dentures every night.
Continuous Wear Will Turn Your Dentures into a Bacterial Housing Complex
If there’s one thing that harmful oral bacteria love, it’s a warm, dark, damp, sheltered place that accumulates food particles. This is exactly the sort of environment these germs need to thrive, multiply rapidly, and cause nasty oral infections like abscesses and gum disease. Unfortunately, the spaces between your dentures and your gums make perfect bacterial habitats, and neglecting to regularly remove and clean your appliance can set you up for a host of oral health issues as well as bad breath.
Wearing Your Dentures for Too Long Will Exhaust Your Gums
Wearing dentures reduces the flow of blood to your gum tissue, and your gums will be tired of wearing your appliance after about sixteen hours. If you neglect to remove and soak your dentures for eight hours a day, the stress of wearing them can cause your gums and jawbones to recede and leave these tissues vulnerable to infection. Since this accelerates the rate at which the mouth changes shape, it can cause your dentures to lose their fit sooner and make early replacement necessary.
Nightly Soaking Keeps Your Dentures Safe, Sound, and Sanitary
When you remove your dentures for the night, it’s important to carefully clean them with a soft-bristled brush, dental floss, and an approved denture cleanser to eliminate lingering plaque and food debris. Once your dentures are clean, soak them in lukewarm water or an approved denture-soaking agent. This will prevent bacteria from growing on your appliance while also keeping it moist so it doesn’t dry out and become brittle.
Dentures represent an investment in your smile, confidence, and quality of life. With excellent care, your dentures can last for seven to twelve years before needing replacement.
About the Practice
Biologic Dentistry brings courteous and effective oral healthcare to the community of Acworth. Led by Drs. John Hamel and Andrew Vita, the staff treats each patient with genuine compassion and remarkable customer service. Areas of expertise include general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry as well as denture services. To learn more about proper denture care, contact the office online or dial (770) 426-9994.