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People get dentures for multiple reasons - to replace missing teeth, improve the overall smile and appearance, and even boost confidence. However, doing so doesn’t only enhance your appearance, but it can also improve your eating ability, speech function, and your overall oral health.
Wearing dentures, however, entail proper and regular cleaning. There are also a few things to keep in mind when wearing or not wearing your dentures. One common mistake made by some people is not removing their dentures before going to bed. Failure to do so can lead to all sorts of dental problems. Below are four reasons you should remove your dentures before going to sleep:
1. Your gums can get sore.
Dentures can be hard on your gums and jawbones. You need a break from wearing dentures, and the best time to do so is when you’re sleeping. This is because your gums and jawbones are the ones responsible for keeping your dentures in place. Compromising them might lead to sores and inflammation, or they may get red and swollen due to the constant pressure applied by your denture. This can happen when you do not remove your dentures when sleeping.
2. You may have a chance of getting pneumonia.
Research shows that wearing dentures at night can increase your chance of getting pneumonia. First, wearing your dentures for 24 hours can become an ideal breeding ground for bacteria. Second, doing so might lead you to swallow the moisture into your lungs. As a result, this can cause respiratory infections such as pneumonia. That said, removing your dentures will prevent bacteria from entering your lungs.
3. You may get denture-related stomatitis.
Another reason to remove your dentures at night is to prevent getting denture-related stomatitis. Stomatitis is caused by an infected palate, which is characterized by a red and inflamed roof of the mouth. This is brought by over-exposure to mouth bacteria common among people wearing full upper dentures. That said, remove your dentures to avoid infecting the tissues.
4. You may end up with resorption and bone loss.
Wearing your dentures at night might lead to resorption or bone loss. Resorption happens when the bones under the gums become thinner and more brittle. This occurs due to the constant pressure of wearing dentures. As a result, your jaw can cause your false teeth not to fit properly, and eventually fall out. Resorption can also impact your facial expressions and looks. Therefore, it makes sense to remove your dentures before sleeping so that they won’t cause harm to your gums and jawbones.
At this point, you now realize that wearing your dentures while sleeping will harm your dental conditions and health in general. As mentioned, it can lead to gum inflammation, pneumonia, stomatitis, as well as resorption and bone loss.
That said, it is best to take off your dentures before sleeping. Also, make sure to clean your dentures regularly and adequately and maintain good oral hygiene. Lastly, visit your dentist regularly to check your dentures and see if there are any dental problems.
If you’re having any trouble with your dentures, get in touch with your local dentist in Ypsilanti Mi today! We’re happy to help.
