Denture Care: Should You Wear Them While Sleeping?

Dentures can be a great solution for those who have lost teeth due to decay or injury, helping to restore a person's smile, speech, and eating abilities. While dentures can greatly improve one's quality of life, they do require extra care and maintenance. One common question that arises for new denture wearers is whether or not they should be worn while sleeping. While it may be tempting to leave dentures in overnight, especially right after getting them, it is generally not recommended to do so. Here are a few reasons why it's best to remove your dentures before bedtime.

Oral hygiene: Dentures should be removed and cleaned daily to prevent bacteria and fungus build-up

Oral hygiene is essential for denture wearers to prevent bacteria and fungus buildup, which can lead to various oral health issues. Here are some detailed instructions for maintaining proper oral hygiene with dentures:

Removing Dentures at Night

It is recommended to remove dentures at night to allow your gums to rest and prevent oral health problems. Leaving dentures in while sleeping can lead to bacteria buildup, increasing the risk of gum disease and denture stomatitis, an infection caused by candida fungus. Removing dentures at night also gives you an opportunity to clean them thoroughly.

Daily Cleaning Routine

Dentures should be cleaned daily to prevent the buildup of food particles, plaque, stains, and bacteria. Here is a step-by-step guide to cleaning your dentures:

• Start by rinsing your dentures with water to remove loose food particles.
• Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and non-abrasive denture cleanser or denture paste to gently brush the dentures, removing plaque and food debris. Avoid using toothpaste, as it can be too abrasive for dentures.
• Soak the dentures overnight in a denture-cleaning solution. This helps to remove stains, plaque, and bacteria, and also keeps the dentures sanitised and fresh. Ensure you use a cleaning solution specifically designed for dentures and follow the manufacturer's instructions for soaking duration.
• Rinse the dentures with water again in the morning before wearing them.
• Also, remember to clean your mouth, including your gums, tongue, and the roof of your mouth, with a soft toothbrush every morning and night. If you have partial dentures, brush your remaining teeth thoroughly to maintain good oral hygiene.

Additional Tips:

• Avoid using hot or boiling water when cleaning or soaking your dentures, as it can cause them to warp.
• Do not use bleaching products, powdered household cleansers, or abrasive cleaning agents, as they can weaken and damage the dentures.
• If you use dental adhesive, ensure you remove it daily with gentle scrubbing.
• Always follow the care instructions provided by your denturist and seek their guidance if you have any questions about denture care.

Gum health: Leaving dentures in overnight can cause gum soreness and inflammation

Dentures are slightly porous, which means that bacteria and fungus can soak into them and cause issues in your mouth. Leaving your dentures in while you sleep can lead to bacteria buildup, which can possibly lead to gum disease in the long term. This bacteria buildup can also cause soreness and inflammation of the gums.

Wearing dentures at night makes it difficult to swallow saliva during sleep, which creates a breeding ground for bacteria in the mouth. When this built-up saliva is eventually swallowed, it can make its way into the lungs and cause pneumonia. This is especially true because wearing dentures at night also makes it difficult to practice good oral hygiene habits, which has also been linked to the development of pneumonia—again, due to bacteria buildup.

If you wear dentures at night, you risk developing sore gums as they will constantly put pressure on your gums and jaw bone. This can lead to gum soreness and inflammation. If you have the habit of grinding your teeth while sleeping, the damage to your mouth and dentures could be even worse.

It’s best to remove dentures at night and give your gums a chance to rest, free of dentures. By removing them at night, your gums can rest, and you can avoid related oral health problems.

Risk of pneumonia: Studies show that wearing dentures overnight increases the risk of developing pneumonia

Dentures can improve your appearance, make it easier to speak and eat, and fill out the appearance of your face. However, wearing dentures overnight is not recommended as it can lead to bacteria buildup, which can cause gum disease and other oral health issues in the long term.

Risk of Pneumonia

Studies have shown that wearing dentures overnight increases the risk of developing pneumonia in the elderly. A study published by NCBI reported that wearing dentures at night creates a breeding ground for bacteria in the mouth, as it makes it difficult to swallow saliva during sleep. When this built-up saliva is eventually swallowed, it can enter the lungs and cause pneumonia.

Wearing dentures while sleeping also makes it harder to maintain good oral hygiene, which has also been linked to the development of pneumonia due to bacteria buildup. The study found that those who wore dentures during sleep were more likely to have tongue and denture plaque, gum inflammation, and higher levels of circulating interleukin-6. As a result, the risk of pneumonia was 2.38 times higher for those wearing dentures overnight compared to those who did not.

Denture stomatitis: Wearing dentures 24/7 can lead to an infection called denture stomatitis

Dentures are a great way to restore your smile, improve your appearance, and make it easier to speak and eat. However, it is not advisable to wear dentures 24/7 as it can lead to several issues, including an infection called denture stomatitis.

Denture stomatitis is a common condition, often caused by the overgrowth of a yeast or fungus called candida, which is typically found in the human digestive tract. It is characterised by inflamed, puffy, red tissue that follows the outline of a denture or other dental appliance that rests against the oral mucosa. The condition can cause soreness in the mouth or throat, white or red patches on the tongue, gums, lips, inner cheeks or roof of the mouth, and sores or cracks in the corners of the mouth. In some cases, it may also lead to slight bleeding and swelling, altered taste sensations, and pain or discomfort when swallowing.

The risk of developing denture stomatitis is increased when dentures are worn constantly, particularly during sleep. This is because the warm, moist, and dark environment in the mouth acts as an ideal breeding ground for bacteria and fungi, leading to a build-up that can result in infection. Additionally, wearing dentures while sleeping can make it difficult to swallow saliva, causing a further build-up of bacteria that can be swallowed and lead to pneumonia.

To reduce the risk of developing denture stomatitis and other oral health issues, it is recommended to remove dentures at night and clean them thoroughly. Soaking dentures in water or a cleaning solution can help sanitise them, and brushing the gums, tongue, and mouth with a soft toothbrush can improve oral hygiene. By adopting good denture and oral hygiene practices, individuals can maintain healthy gums and teeth while wearing dentures.

Bone resorption: Constant pressure from dentures can cause bone loss and changes in facial structure

It is generally not recommended to wear dentures to sleep. This is because doing so can lead to a range of issues, including bacterial buildup, gum disease, and inflammation. However, there is one more important reason to avoid wearing dentures overnight: bone resorption.

Bone resorption is the process of shrinking bone mass, which occurs after a person's natural teeth are extracted. This phenomenon is crucial to understand when constructing dentures, as it leaves less support for the dentures, causing them to become loose and unstable over time. Bone resorption can also impact facial features, often resulting in a "sunken-in" appearance and thinning of the lips, which can make individuals appear older than their actual age.

The jawbone is maintained through nerve signals and physical stress. Natural teeth have nerves that signal bone-forming cells (osteoblasts) to build bone. Additionally, the roots of natural teeth are embedded in the jawbone, and the forces created during biting or chewing transfer through the tooth and roots into the jaw bone, maintaining its mass. When teeth are extracted, the bone in that area can no longer be built up or maintained, and bone-removing cells (osteoclasts) begin to break down the jawbone.

Wearing dentures may increase the rate of bone deterioration. Dentures transfer chewing and biting forces to the gums rather than the jawbone, resulting in a lack of stress on the jawbone. This triggers the body to start breaking down (resorbing) the jawbone. As a result, dentures that initially fit perfectly may become loose and uncomfortable over time due to changes in the shape of the bone under the gums.

To address bone resorption and maintain the fit of dentures, relining or rebasing may be necessary. In some cases, new dentures may need to be constructed to accurately fit the new contours of the gums. Dental implants can also help support dentures and stimulate bone growth, preventing further bone loss.

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