At the end of a long day, it can be easy to forget about small details. At some point, you might even find that you settle into bed and realize that you forgot to soak your dentures! Should you let it go, or should you get up and make sure that your prosthetic is properly stored for the night? You should do the latter! This blog post explains four big reasons why overnight denture soaking is so important.
Your Oral Tissues Need to Rest
As you wear your dentures throughout the day, they place pressure on your oral tissues. After several hours or more of wearing your prosthetic, your gums need to breathe! Removing your dentures at night helps to promote good blood flow and healthy circulation, which can reduce your risk of gum sores and infections.
It is also important to note that wearing your dentures overnight may accelerate bone loss in your jaw, which can affect your facial shape and shorten the time period between denture relines (adjustments).
Your Dental Hygiene Can Benefit
One big reason to remove and soak your dentures at night is your oral hygiene. Placing your dentures in a cleansing solution can be a great way to deep clean them and get rid of bacterial buildup. This can reduce your risk of infections, prevent your dentures from smelling bad, and help to keep discoloration to a minimum.
You May Reduce Your Risk of Respiratory Infections
Cleaning and soaking your dentures can benefit your head-to-toe health. Remember, the bacteria in your mouth can easily sneak into the rest of your body, whether they slip into your bloodstream or get inhaled. Research has even shown a direct association between wearing dentures overnight and an increased risk of pneumonia, particularly in older individuals. Removing your dentures at night and keeping them clean may reduce your risk of illness.
Soaking Preserves the Shape of Your Dentures
Your dentures are designed to stay moist. If they are in a dry environment for too long, they might lose their shape, which could cause them to become unusable. Therefore, even if you remove your dentures at night, that is not enough. They should also be placed in a glass of water or cleansing solution.
Removing and soaking your dentures every night is important! Do your best to stick to good habits that will keep your prosthetic and your oral health in good shape.
Meet the Practice
Dr. Sara E. Curcio completed dental school nearly two decades ago. She and our team are passionate about taking excellent care of our patients. If you have questions about dentures and how to take care of them or your mouth, we would be pleased to speak with you. Contact our South Windsor, CT, office at 860-644-2476.