“Can I sleep with dentures in my mouth?” is a question many Australians ask. Unfortunately, many people believe fallacies about wearing dentures while sleeping that have disastrous consequences. You don’t have to fall into that trap and compromise your long-term oral health.
As the Gold Coast’s trusted experts in denture repairs, we can help clear up confusion about this issue. This blog will explain the risks and advantages of sleeping with dentures in mouth, empowering you to make informed decisions for your long-term health, well-being, and peace of mind.
What Are Dentures?
Dentures are removable dental prosthetics that replace missing teeth and stabilise facial muscles. These personalised tooth replacements are usually made of acrylic or porcelain. Depending on the number of missing teeth, patients can opt for partial or complete dentures.
Dentures replace missing teeth and restore a person’s ability to eat, speak, and smile confidently, allowing them to enjoy a better quality of life.
These dental prosthetics have several modifications. Dental implants are tiny threaded posts inserted in the jawbone to replace missing tooth roots. Removable implant supported dentures latch onto these implants, offering better stability than conventional prosthetic teeth.
On the other hand, implant-supported (permanent or hybrid) dentures aren’t removable, providing patients who prefer non-removable prosthetics with a convenient option. Only a dentist can remove implant-supported dentures, which require more complete cleaning than the removable version.
Many people wonder if sleeping with their dentures is safe. Although it can be safe, please be aware that you’re also taking some risks. We will discuss these in the following section.
How Does Everyday Life Change With Dentures?
Patients may experience discomfort and difficulties speaking or eating when wearing dentures for the first time. However, this is a temporary condition that will subside over time. Nevertheless, we strongly encourage denture wearers to practise talking and eating before leaving their homes to offset discomfort and boost their confidence in public.
Prosthetic teeth also change how you taste food. Teeth capture flavour molecules from food and guide them toward the taste buds. The absence of teeth can compromise and slightly affect the food’s flavour.
Disadvantages of Wearing Dentures Overnight
The risks of wearing dentures overnight include the following:
- Enhanced aspiration risk: Wearing dentures in your sleep can loosen them, cause them to fall out of place, and possibly cause you to inhale them into your lungs. This can lead to serious health complications.
- Denture fracture: Wearing dentures overnight can increase the likelihood of breaking or cracking due to increased pressure from the constant contact between your pillow and prosthetic teeth.
- Dental health issues: Constantly using dentures can lead to oral health issues, including gingivitis or fungal infections. For this reason, we strongly urge patients to remove their prosthetic teeth and soak them in a dentist-approved solution overnight while their gums take a much-needed break.
- Pneumonia risk: Studies have shown that wearing dentures overnight can increase pneumonia risk. Wearing prosthetic teeth 24 hours daily can proliferate oral bacteria, which patients can inhale into their lungs and cause pneumonia.
- Respiratory problems: Dentures also make swallowing saliva challenging. Constant denture wearing can force moisture into the lungs and cause respiratory problems.
- Denture stomatitis risk: Dentures stomatitis is a byproduct of gum tissue inflammation and redness beneath prosthetic teeth. It is common among people who wear full upper dentures overnight.
- Resorption and bone loss: The former term refers to the gums wearing out and becoming brittle due to constant denture pressure. This scenario reshapes the jawline, changes a person’s facial appearance, and causes the dentures to fall out.
Advantages of Wearing Dentures Overnight
Dentures are removable dental prosthetics that replace missing teeth and stabilise facial muscles. These personalised tooth replacements are usually made of acrylic or porcelain. Depending on the number of missing teeth, patients can opt for partial or complete dentures.
Dentures replace missing teeth and restore a person’s ability to eat, speak, and smile confidently, allowing them to enjoy a better quality of life.
These dental prosthetics have several modifications. Dental implants are tiny threaded posts inserted in the jawbone to replace missing tooth roots. Removable implant-retained dentures latch onto these implants, offering better stability than conventional prosthetic teeth.
On the other hand, implant-supported (permanent or hybrid) dentures aren’t removable, providing patients who prefer non-removable prosthetics with a convenient option. Only a dentist can remove implant-supported dentures, which require more complete cleaning than the removable version.
Many people wonder if sleeping with their dentures is safe. Although it can be safe, please be aware that you’re also taking some risks. We will discuss these in the following section.
- Enhanced confidence: Inexperienced denture wearers may feel awkward around family members or friends. Sleeping with dentures overnight can help boost their confidence in social settings.
- Denture position: Patients wearing dentures immediately after a tooth extraction will benefit from using them overnight. This strategy allows them to maintain the position of their prosthetic teeth and minimise swelling.
- Convenient morning routine: Sleeping with dentures overnight saves extra time cleaning and inserting them in the morning.
Is Sleeping While Wearing Dentures Safe?
Sleeping with dentures overnight can be safe. However, we strongly recommend that prosthetic teeth users consider their risks carefully and consult their dentists before using them while sleeping. Your practitioner can offer personalised advice and guidance based on your specific dental health requirements.
It’s also critical to consider the following factors when sleeping with dentures:
- Daily cleaning: Regular denture cleaning is critical to remove food particles or bacteria that could cause issues when sleeping with prosthetic teeth. Please ensure thorough denture brushing and rinsing before sleeping.
- Jaw and gum considerations: Consulting a highly experienced dentist can help determine your gum and jawline condition. If your practitioner deems they’re too sensitive, he will recommend removing them and soaking them overnight so your gums can rest.
- Comfort: Can you sleep comfortably while wearing dentures? People accustomed to removing them before sleeping may experience discomfort if they wear them overnight.
Conclusion
As the Gold Coast’s trusted experts of denture relines, we recommend removing your prosthetic teeth and soaking them in a dentist-approved solution overnight. This strategy ensures healthy gums, promotes optimal oral health, and prevents denture damage, offering patients long-term peace of mind.