Keep Your Smile Bright by Soaking Your Dentures Overnight

Today’s dentures are an excellent way to restore a smile after extensive tooth loss because they are incredibly lifelike and extremely comfortable. In fact, they can fit so cozily in your mouth that you might forget they are there and neglect to take them out before bed. Although it might be tempting to sleep with your dentures, they need some time to soak. Here’s why you should be giving your gums and your dentures some time apart on a daily basis.

Acrylic Dentures Are Full of Tiny Holes

The bases of most dentures today are made from acrylic. This material is full of holes that are so small they are nearly invisible. These holes provide bacteria with a secure habitat in which to multiply, which can result in entire populations of infectious germs living in your dentures. They can cause gum disease and other infections, but soaking your dentures regularly can help keep these populations in check.

With Age Comes More Bacteria

As the years go by, your mouth develops more bacterial populations that can potentially cause oral infections. To complicate matters, the human mouth’s ability to produce saliva decreases with age as well. To protect your mouth from infectious bacteria, you must take daily care to keep your oral cavity and your dentures clean. This includes soaking your dental appliance overnight.

Your Dentures and Gums Need Some Time Apart

Supporting a pair of dentures all day is a lot of work, and that’s why your gums are sore by bedtime. Taking your dentures out while you sleep allows your gums some time to rest and your mouth some time to clean itself. Bacteria love warm, dark, wet, protected environments, and the space between your gums and your dentures fits the bill perfectly unless you separate the two regularly. Neglecting to remove your dentures for eight hours every day can allow the constant stress and infectious bacteria to cause gum disease and bone loss.

Soaking Effectively Cleans Your Dentures

While brushing your dentures every day will remove visible debris from their surface, it is not able to clean the pores in the base that can shelter oral bacteria. On the other hand, soaking with an approved cleanser can destroy over 99.9% of oral bacteria in your appliance. If an approved cleanser is not available, room-temperature water can do the trick in a pinch. Hot water, however, can cause your dentures to warp.

Proper denture care is crucial to preserving your beautiful teeth for the long haul. Soaking your dentures for eight hours every night will keep your mouth healthy and your appliance in good shape so you can take on the next day with a bright and shiny smile.

About the Practice

Scotch Plains Fanwood Dental Care provides the highest quality treatment in a friendly and relaxing environment to patients in Fanwood, NJ. Led by Drs. Ahmad Kareem Osman, David A. Malakov, Kirk A. Kalogiannis, and Jason Lin, the staff uses the latest dental techniques and technology to help people achieve the smiles of their dreams. Areas of expertise include general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry in addition to denture treatments. For more information on proper denture care, contact the office online or dial (908) 322-3222.