Is It Safe To Leave Dentures In All the Time?

During the first few days, you may be advised to wear them most of the time, including while you are asleep. After your mouth gets used to your dentures, it is advised that you remove them before going to bed. This allows your gums to rest and helps keep your mouth healthy.

The tissues under the dentures need a rest period of six to eight hours each day. Many people remove their dentures at night, but some people feel uncomfortable and embarrassed doing this. Leaving your dentures out is beneficial because it allows the natural cleaning process to occur and also enables the gums to rest and relax. 

Therefore, you may choose to either remove the dentures at night while you sleep or for some period during the daytime. If you really feel that you can’t take your dentures out overnight, make sure you soak them and clean them thoroughly during the evening so that they are as clean as possible before you put them in for the night. You must clean your dentures in the morning to ensure you remove all the bacteria that may have gathered during the night.

However, it’s certainly understandable that you may want to leave your dentures in at night. Unfortunately, however, it can lead to the following 4 issues:

• Bone loss – Wearing dentures during the day protects your jawbone, while wearing them at night actually accelerates the natural process of bone loss. This means you’re likely to have loose, ill-fitting dentures and changes in your facial appearance faster than you would otherwise.
• Prevent bacterial growth – Since bacteria accumulate on your dentures, leaving them in causes bad breath and gum disease. Also, taking your dentures out each night allows your soft tissues to breathe and gives them a “bacteria-free break,” which will keep them significantly healthier.
• Prolong the life of your dentures – Your mouth is naturally quite a bit drier at night. By soaking your dentures in liquid, you’ll prevent cracking and keep them in better shape overall.
• Reduce colds and other illnesses – By exposing your mouth and throat to bacteria all night, you increase your risk of colds, infections, and denture stomatitis, a fungal infection that leads to red, inflamed gums.

Caring For Your Dentures

Dentures get slippery and can be easily dropped (and broken) while you’re cleaning them. To prevent this, handle them over a soft hand towel or basin of water, just in case. 

• A good rule of thumb is to keep your dentures moist at all times to prevent them from drying out and cracking.
• Soaking your dentures is important, but be sure to brush them each day as well to keep them clean.
• Be consistent with dental visits so that any necessary adjustments or repairs can be made (e.g. small chips, cracks, or bends) before they become more serious.
• Dentures are a fantastic way to restore your smile. By taking them out each night and taking steps to maintain them, you’ll enjoy all the benefits they provide for many years.