Can You Sleep With Dentures?

As you age, it's not uncommon to lose teeth. Whether from decay, gum disease, or injury, losing teeth can be a difficult process to go through. You may be considering getting new teeth, which means a new routine to adapt to. One of the most common questions we’re asked is: “Can you sleep with dentures?” The answer is yes, but it’s not a good idea. Read on to learn more.

Sometimes we can fall asleep when we don't mean to, or we forget to remove items we'd normally take off before bed, like dangly earrings, boots—or dentures. This won't usually cause any lasting problems, however, if it becomes a habit, you may experience serious complications.

Regularly sleeping with your dentures in can cause:

• Discomfort and pain: due to the constant pressure on your gums and supporting bone structure
• Bone loss: constant pressure on your gums at night increases the rate of bone resorption
• Risk of infection: leaving dentures in overnight can cause risk of infection and other conditions such as thrush or bacteria growth
• Increased plaque: constantly having dental prosthesis inside your mouth overnight can allow for increased plaque build-up as well as bacterial growth which can be damaging to both your oral health and overall wellbeing

For these reasons, it is highly recommended that individuals remove their dentures before going to sleep and take proper care of them.

Maintaining a night-time routine will ensure your dentures and your oral health are taken care of. Remember to:

• Brush Your Dentures: It’s important to brush your dentures every day, including at night before bed. This will help keep your dentures clean and remove any plaque build-up that may have accumulated during the day. Use a special cleaning solution designed specifically for denture cleaning, as well as a soft-bristled brush designed for use on dentures. Do not use regular toothpaste as this may contain abrasive particles that can cause damage to the surface of your dentures.
• Soak Your Dentures Overnight: After brushing your dentures each night, it’s important to soak them overnight in a denture cleaning solution. This step helps keep bacteria from growing on the surface of the denture while you sleep and keeps them fresh until the morning when you are ready to use them again. Be sure to never use hot water when soaking your dentures as this can cause them to be damaged over time.
• Store Your Dentures Safely: When not in use, it’s important to store your dentures in an appropriate container filled with water or a commercial cleaner solution so that they do not become dry or brittle. Storing your denture properly can also prevent them from becoming damaged due to accidental dropping or other accidents that may occur during the night. You should also never wrap your dentures in a paper towel as this can trap moisture and cause bacteria growth on their surface over time.
  

Taking proper care of your oral health and your new teeth is essential if you want them to last as long as possible! If you are still unsure about caring for your dentures or have further questions about leaving them in while you sleep, it’s best to consult with a dental prosthetist at The Denture Care Group. We have been operating on the Sunshine Coast for more than 37 years with a full range of denture services and are always happy to help with your queries. Reach out to us via our contact form or give us a call today on (07) 5491 2288.