Are you planning to restore your smile with dentures? Are you a new denture wearer? If yes, you may be wondering whether it is right to sleep with the dentures in. The main goal of dentures is to allow you to eat, talk, and smile confidently. Since you will not perform these activities during bedtime, removing the dental prostheses at night is wise. Removing them allows your gums to rest and heal. It is also the best time to clean and store them in a denture solution. This eliminates bacteria in the dentures, thus preventing oral issues. However, sleeping with your dentures on can cause risks such as:
Dentures Breakage
No one would like to see a crack on their dentures. Damaged dental appliances can harm your gums or tongue. They can also affect your biting or chewing and cost you a lot to repair. Sleeping in dentures is one instance that increases the risk of breakage. When sleeping, there can be constant contact between the dentures and the pillow. This puts more pressure on the dental appliance, making it break. In addition, teeth grinding increases the risk of dentures breaking. In this case, taking them out when sleeping should be a priority.
Bone Loss
Wearing dentures all the time can put pressure on the bone and gums under the dentures. If this becomes a habit, the bone can weaken and wear away. To prevent this, you should give your supporting tissues time to relax by removing the dentures at night.
Bacterial Growth
The area between the gums and dentures is a good breeding place for bacteria. When you sleep with your dental appliance in, bacteria will rest in that region, resulting in bad morning breath. After some time, the bacteria will produce toxins that irritate the gums. This is the first stage of periodontal disease. If not treated, severe conditions such as bone and gum deterioration can occur. Schedule an appointment with our dental team to learn how to care for your dentures and mouth.