New denture wearers (and even seasoned denture patients) may have burning questions about their new teeth and their best practices. One of the most common questions asked by denturists is: “is it safe to wear dentures at night?” The truth is, while it is possible to sleep with them, dentures are meant to be removed and cleaned daily, and are not designed to be worn overnight. Removing dentures allows the gums to have a rest overnight and prevents the risk of complications, such as gum disease or gum inflammation.

In addition, if you are not taking your dentures out at night and brushing and caring for your gums you can potentially create a breeding ground for bacteria and fungi which can cause issues which leads to bad breath and irritation.

Here’s what you should know about the benefits of cleaning your dentures and how to best care for them in the evening:

Benefits Of Cleaning Your Dentures At Night

There are a number of health advantages that comes with cleaning your dentures at night. First and foremost, giving your gums a rest is a great benefit of removing your dentures at night. The pressure put on your gums and the bone underneath by the dentures could potentially accelerate bone resorption over long periods of time. Studies suggest that your gums should get at least a six to eight-hour break from your dentures each day and simply removing their dentures at night provides the sufficient rest needed for gums to recover and recuperate.

Removing your dentures before you go to sleep also promotes good oral hygiene and prevents bad breath. The space where your dentures and gums meet is the perfect breeding ground for bacteria to grow, which leads to bad morning breath and gum inflammation. Opting an overnight soaking solution allows it to penetrate the tiny surface pores of your dentures and eliminate bacteria from growing.

Cleaning Your Dentures Overnight

To prevent any damage to the gums and mouth, always clean and remove your dentures at night and store them in a clean, dry area. You should rinse your dentures after you remove them, lightly brush them with a soft brush, and then soak them an overnight cleansing solution, like Secure Anti-Plaque Cleansing tablets. Before putting the dentures back in your mouth in the morning, make sure to rinse them off with water. Before you take your dentures out for the night to clean them:

• Fill up your sink with warm water. A good tip is to roll up a towel and place it on the edge of the sink (and even on the floor), just in case your dentures slip and fall during the process.
• Gargle with warm water to help loosen the seal from your denture adhesive. This will make it easier to take your dentures out.
• Remove your dentures slowly and gently. For upper dentures, place your thumb or fingers between the denture and your cheek, then gently press down gently where the denture meets the gums. Try to use even amounts of pressure to loosen them. To remove lower dentures, place your thumb and fingers on either side of the denture.
• Brush dentures with a denture brush or soft toothbrush. You can use water, denture paste or non-abrasive toothpaste. Try avoiding regular toothpaste with abrasives.
• Soak your dentures in a denture cleaning solution, like Secure Anti Plaque Cleansing Tablets.
• In the morning, rinse your denture thoroughly with water before inserting it in your mouth.