Sleeping With Dentures In Or Out

Wester

What is best to sleep with your dentures in or out at night . I have always slept with my dentures in but recently i have found that my gums have become sore could this be something to do with me keeping my dentures in when i sleep ?

brook2jack

If you take your shoes off at night take your dentures out.

We were not designed to wear pieces of plastic and metal in our mouths 24 hours a day our teeth and gums need a chance to "breathe".

Leaving dentures in overnight makes it more likely you will develop a yeast type infection which ultimately will stop your dentures fitting well and can lead to sore cracks at the side of your mouth.

Wester

Is it essential to take your dentures out every night ?

welshdent

It is advisable. Plaque will be all over it allowing the bacteria, fungi etc to be in constant contact with your oral tissues. The space is not self cleansing as you can get with parts of your teeth. It gets quite stagnant under there. The nett result is constant irritation of your gums causing soreness etc. This picture illustrates how the inflammed tissue is only covering where the denture sits. http://www.nature.com/bdj/journal/v190/n5/images/4800936f26.jpg

Toothsmith

I have this conversation with my lady patients time and time again!

Yes - it is much much better for your mouth, and the boney ridge that supports your denture, if it is unloaded for a good 8 hours a day.

It lets everything breath, and takes the pressure off the bone. This will mean that a set of dentures will feel more comfortable for a longer period of time, and that each time you have a new set, the ridge will be more healthy and have more bone to support the new denture.

BUT - people are often reluctant to do this.

There is no way around the fact that it is better to do it - but if you really don't want to, then just try and find some regular time when you can leave it out.

Anything is better than 24/7 denture wearing.

Wester

Thank you for your help and advice . I now have another question to ask what is the best way to store your denture when you are not wearing it . Is normal water ok or is it best to use some solution and is there a case you can get to store your denture in ?

Thank You

Wester

wester wrote: »

thank you for your help and advice . I now have another question to ask what is the best way to store your denture when you are not wearing it . Is normal water ok or is it best to use some solution and is there a case you can get to store your denture in ?

Thank you

? ? ? ? ?

brook2jack

It depends whether you have a dog... dogs love to eat/chew dentures so a case is invaluable here.

Storage if a plastic denture COLD water (warm bleaches dentures if there are clensers in it) and miltons(babies bottle cleaner) solution.

If metal on denture cold water only.

Wester

Is it OK to use a mouthwash when you wear dentures or is it best not to . or does it not matter one bit if you do or do not use a mouhwash

xxlaurissaxx

Wester wrote: »

Is it OK to use a mouthwash when you wear dentures or is it best not to . or does it not matter one bit if you do or do not use a mouhwash

I take my denture out every night and put it in cold water, every 4/5 days I put a steradent tablet in over night so it gets a good clean, but I do rinse it with water when I take it out and rinse again under the tap before I put it in.

I only have a 1 tooth denture so I only use mouthwash at night and in the morning after brushing and its out anyway and if im doing it before going out at night, I take it out to brush my teeth so its never in when I use mouthwash. xx

brook2jack

Don't use a mouthwash when dentures in, it may stain them. I am not a great fan of mouthwash as it's often a substitute for good hygiene habits ie leaving dentures out and using interdental brushes or floss.