Between work, family obligations, social events, and even just carving out time for a little self-care, you’ve got a lot of important things on your plate. Naturally, it can be hard to find enough hours in the day to do everything you need to do, including maintaining your dentures. But before you go cutting corners on essential hygiene, here’s why it’s so important to take a few minutes to properly clean your prosthetics!
Can I Brush My Dentures While They’re Still in My Mouth?
While keeping your dentures in your mouth to brush them may seem like a great way to save a little time, doing so could cost you a lot more later. That’s because when you don’t completely remove them, you can easily miss most of the prosthetics, leaving your mouth vulnerable to a variety of problems including bad breath, gum disease, and even bacterial infections.
Taking them out allows you to gently scrub all surfaces of the denture, including the parts that come in contact with your gums. These areas are known to harbor plaque, food particles, and bacteria, all of which can hurt your oral health.
Furthermore, it’s much easier to floss your dentures when they’re not in your mouth. Leaving behind bits of food between the teeth can not only damage and stain them, but also cause them to smell terrible, too! Thus, to ensure that they are completely clean, save time and money by removing them from your mouth before you clean them.
Can I Sleep with My Dentures in My Mouth?
Another way patients try to save a little time is by sleeping in their dentures. Though your dentist will ask you to do this on your first night with your new prosthetics, beyond the initial 24 hours it is very important that you remove them every night and soak them in a cup of water or denture soak. This will ensure that they stay completely hydrated when not in use and prevent them from warping or cracking. While this type of damage can sometimes be repaired, in many cases it cannot, and you’ll need to get a completely new pair to replace them.
Remember, while it may be tempting to cut corners by scrimping on properly caring for your dentures, doing so can cost you in the end. Thus, to ensure that your prosthetics stay in great shape for as long as possible, be sure to follow your dentist’s care instructions closely: always remove them completely to clean them after every meal and be sure to keep them submerged in water or denture soak when they’re not in your mouth.
About Dr. Jayswal
Dr. Niki Jayswal graduated from the University of Southern California School of Dentistry with Honors and today is an active member in such prestigious dental groups as the American Dental Association, Texas Dental Association, and the Dallas County Dental Society. If you’d like to restore your smile with the help of dentures, or if your current dentures are in need of deep cleaning or repair, pleas schedule an appointment with Nexus Dental of Lewisville by visiting our website or calling us directly at 972-366-4452.