Keeping your dentures clean is essential if you want them to last as long as possible. Daily wear and tear will eventually lead to necessary replacement, but good oral hygiene will keep them looking natural, functioning normally, and fitting comfortably year after year. While it may be easy to understand why brushing and cleaning them in the morning and at night is vital, you may be questioning why it’s necessary to soak them overnight. Read on to discover why dentists place significant importance on this particular task.
Dentures Are Porous
While most artificial teeth are made out of porcelain, the base of dentures is commonly crafted out of acrylic. As a porous material, it can trap bacteria, making it a haven for them to thrive and wreak havoc on gum tissues.
Without proper cleaning and soaking, this bacterial accumulation can begin to attack the soft oral tissues of your mouth, resulting in gum disease. Allowing them to remain in a denture solution overnight eliminates harmful germs and particles so that your risk of serious infection remains low.
Your Gums Need to Rest
Wearing dentures throughout the day causes your gums to sustain a lot of pressure. Biting, chewing, and even talking require force – the kind that can lead to discomfort and soreness at the end of the day.
By placing your dentures in a glass of cleaning solution, your gums have the chance to rest overnight. Not only will they experience relief from the continuous pressure they’re under during the day, but they’ll also obtain valuable nutrients they miss while supporting your new smile.
Bacterial Growth Increases with Age
Seniors who wear dentures may not realize it, but bacterial growth increases with age. What this means is there is an increased risk of gum disease and other oral health problems that can occur.
Between the various medications you might take that can cause dry mouth, a weakened immune system, and difficulty brushing and flossing properly because of decreased dexterity, these harmful particles can build and spread.
However, by making sure that you soak your dentures each night, you lower this risk. Even if all the other issues you experience do not change, disinfecting your teeth while you sleep gives you a better chance of enjoying your smile for longer.
Give your mouth the break it deserves by soaking your dentures overnight. Doing so will help keep them in better shape as the years go by.
About Grand Dental – Wilmington
Tooth loss is a problem our dentists regularly treat at Grand Dental – Wilmington. Offering multiple replacement solutions, including dentures, we can rebuild incomplete smiles with ease and predictability. Our team’s commitment to producing beautiful results and ensuring patients have the necessary information to properly care for their new teeth is what you can expect. If you are considering dentures but want to know what steps you must take to keep them clean and healthy for the long run, visit our website or call (815) 240-8822.