Adjusting to dentures is frustrating for some people. It might take a little while to get used to taking out dentures before bedtime, which may lead a patient to ask, “Can you sleep with dentures?” At Paris Mountain Dental, serving Travelers Rest, SC and the nearby region, we want to make the transition to wearing dentures as simple as possible for our patients.
Why You Shouldn’t Sleep with Dentures
One reason why it’s so important to take your dentures out before you sleep is because it gives your gums an opportunity to heal. You may experience some discomfort if you’re not giving your gums a rest. Additionally, when you leave your dentures in, you’re allowing bacteria and food to remain inside your mouth for extended periods. This could possibly cause an infection.
A study published by the National Institutes of Health linked sleeping with dentures to an increased risk of pneumonia. Pneumonia-causing bacteria may thrive in your mouth when you have dentures in while you sleep. Their study concluded that sleeping with dentures can double a person’s risk of pneumonia because of the chance that you could inhale the bacteria while sleeping.
Additionally, leaving your dentures in while you sleep decreases their lifespan. Therefore, you may be spending money on replacement ones sooner than necessary.
Making Denture Removal a Habit
Adding a step to your routine can be difficult to adjust to or remember each day. We advise our patients to take their dentures out when they’re getting into pajamas before bed. Keep your denture container in plain sight as a reminder, possibly beside the sink or on your nightstand. If you’re still struggling to take your dentures out each night, set a reminder on your phone or leave a note on the mirror. Nothing serious will happen if occasionally you fall asleep with your dentures in. However, you should make it a habit to remove them before going to bed as much as possible.
Dentures in Travelers Rest, SC
If you have any trouble with your dentures, give us a call at Paris Mountain Dental. Your comfort is very important to us. If you would like to discuss getting dentures, we are here to answer your questions.