At the end of a long day, have you ever been tempted to simply set your dentures on your nightstand instead of soaking them? Perhaps you were even contemplating the idea of leaving them in your mouth! While it might seem harmless to occasionally neglect your dentures’ nightly soak, there are actually some very good reasons why you should never do that. What are those reasons? This blog post explains.
Soaking Is One of the Best Ways to Clean Your Dentures
Did you know that dentures are porous? While they might seem completely smooth, they actually have tiny pores that can collect bacteria. Over time, those bacteria can start to cause odors and may even increase your risk of oral health problems. While thoroughly brushing your dentures can certainly get rid of some of those tiny microbes, it is not enough to keep your prosthetic completely clean.
When you soak your dentures in a dentist-approved cleaning solution, it can penetrate those pores and kill up to 99.9% of harmful bacteria. You can therefore keep your prosthetic — and your mouth — as fresh and clean as possible.
Your Gums Need a Rest
Dentures are not designed to be worn 24/7. If you kept them in your mouth overnight, you would increase your risk of a number of problems. For example, bacteria could accumulate beneath your prosthetic and cause infections. The constant pressure on your gums might cause painful sores, and you could experience accelerated bone loss in your jaw.
By taking your dentures out of your mouth each night to give them a good soak, you allow your mouth some time to breathe and recover before another long day of wearing your prosthetic teeth.
You Can Preserve Your Dentures’ Shape and Function
Instead of preparing a cleaning solution — or even simply placing their dentures in a glass of water — some people might want to place their teeth somewhere in the open, like on their nightstand or bathroom counter. That would be unwise.
Dentures need a moist environment in order to maintain their shape and flexibility. If you repeatedly allow them to dry out overnight, they might lose their fit and start to feel very uncomfortable on your gums. You could even end up having to buy a new prosthetic well before you originally planned to. Consistent soaking habits can allow you to get the most out of your teeth.
When you are exhausted, soaking your dentures might seem like a chore, but it is well worth the effort. It will help you to maintain a clean and healthy mouth!
Meet the Practice
The oral health experts at Aveni Dental Professionals are proud to provide a comprehensive range of services for our community. Whether you are thinking about getting dentures or you have questions about how to care for your prosthetic teeth, we are ready to assist you. To learn more about us or to book a consultation, contact our Plymouth, MA, team at 508-876-3381.