If you haven’t seen dentures since the ones your grandparents wore, then you haven’t seen dentures! While these restorations were once bulky, obvious, and hard to maneuver, they now look great, function optimally, and fit comfortably. As a result, you might be wondering if you can wear your dentures 24/7. To learn the answer, keep reading!
3 Reasons Not to Wear Your Denture 24/7
When you first get your denture, your dentist may ask you to wear it around the clock, including while you sleep. After that, you should get in the habit of taking them out for 6-8 hours a day to avoid the following problems:
- Unhealthy Tissue – Can you imagine the bacteria build-up and smell if you were to get in the habit of never taking off your shoes? Yuck! Taking your dentures off allows blood to re-circulate to your gums, helping keep the soft tissue in your mouth healthy.
- Respiratory Issues – Did you know that wearing your dentures 24/7 increases your risk of developing life-threatening pneumonia? So, taking your restoration out at night benefits both your oral and overall health.
- Accelerated Bone Loss – In short, wearing your dentures day and night accelerates bone resorption. In addition to negatively impacting your bite, this negatively impacts how your restoration fits, shortening their lifespan considerably.
When to Remove Your Dentures
The best time to remove your dentures is before bed. That way, your gums have a chance to rest for 6-8 hours while you sleep. Plus, placing your restoration in a glass filled with clean water or a dentist-recommended cleaner will ensure that they are fresh and clean come morning!
Note: You should also take your dentures off if they are broken, or if they don’t fit properly.
What Other Options Do I Have for Replacing My Teeth?
Dentures are a tried-and-true tooth-replacement solution, but they aren’t the only ones. In recent years, dental implants have skyrocketed in popularity because they help preserve your jawbone, they are incredibly versatile, and they can last for 20 years or more with proper care. So, whether you’re missing one tooth or an entire arch of teeth, don’t hesitate to talk to your dental team about your options outside of dentures as well!
About the Practice
In addition to providing our patients with essential preventive and restorative care, our team at Winthrop Street Dentistry offers specialty services, like dentures! We even have an in-house oral surgeon. So, if you don’t like the idea of having to take your dentures out at night, you can opt for dental implants instead! Our Worcester dental team would be more than happy to review all of the tooth-replacement solutions available to you. So, don’t hesitate to schedule a consultation with us via our website or by phone at (508) 756-0990.
