Modern dentures are so beautifully lifelike that casual observers rarely notice them and comfortable enough for patients to forget they’re wearing them. While this might make it tempting to simply leave them in for days or even weeks on end, this is a terrible idea that can lead to serious oral infections. Here’s a brief guide to why you should soak your dentures every night as well as a few tips for doing the job properly.
Soak Your Dentures to Keep them Clean
The base of a denture is usually made from acrylic, which is a porous material that closely resembles natural gum tissue. These pores are incredibly small, but they are big enough to host teeming multitudes of harmful oral bacteria as well as trapped food debris if they are not cleaned regularly. These accumulations can cause a host of oral health problems such as gum disease and other oral infections as well as bad breath and unsightly stains and accumulations. To keep your dentures clean and odor-free, soak them in an approved denture cleanser for eight hours a day.
Remove Your Dentures to Give Your Gums a Rest
Dentures are incredibly comfortable because they are customized to fit the patient’s mouth based on careful measurements of the oral cavity. However, wearing them limits circulation to the gum tissue, which makes it harder for them to heal and fight infections. Removing your appliance for eight hours a day allows your gums to rest and your mouth to clean away food residue accumulating beneath the dentures, preventing irritations, oral infections, and unpleasant odors.
What’s the Best Way to Soak My Dentures?
Here’s a brief how-to for soaking your dentures before bed.
- Fill the basin of your sink with cool or lukewarm water and cover the counter surface with folded towels to create a cushion in case you drop your dentures.
- Carefully remove and rinse your dentures.
- Once a day, you should clean your appliance by using a soft-bristled brush with an approved non-abrasive cleansing agent and flossing between the teeth.
- Place your dentures in a container filled with cool or lukewarm water or an approved denture cleanser to prevent them from warping overnight.
- Always rinse your dentures off before you put them in for the day, as the cleaning agents used during soaking can be harmful if swallowed.
- Never use hot water when cleaning your dentures, as the heat can warp the appliance.
Proper denture maintenance can keep your smile beautiful and your mouth healthy. With excellent care, your dentures may last for up to ten years.
About the Practice
North Garland Family Dental offers the finest oral healthcare available in the area. With Drs. Yaritza Vazquez and Scott Peterson at the helm, the staff is dedicated to delivering effective treatments and remarkable customer service. Areas of expertise include general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry as well as denture treatments. To learn more about proper denture care, contact the office online or dial (972) 530-7979.
