Do You Need to Take Dentures Out at Night?

Getting dentures can be one of the biggest decisions you make in your life. It does not just enhance your appearance but also boosts your self-confidence and self-esteem. You no longer have to feel anxious every time you open your mouth. Many people cover their mouth and hide their smile away because they do not want people to see that they are missing teeth.

The fact is that there is nothing wrong with missing a few teeth. It can happen to anyone, but if it bothers you, you can always opt for a simple cosmetic alternative. Truth be told getting dentures isn't entirely a cosmetic process; you need your teeth to chew food.

FAQs

Once you get your dentures, you can smile brightly and laugh without covering your mouth or fear of judgment. You can choose to eat most of your favorite foods and live comfortably. But you may be confused in the maintenance department. You may be asking yourself if I get dentures, do I have to clean this? If so how do I do it? And most importantly what happens to the dentures during the night? Do I keep them in or place them in a safe?

• How to Clean Dentures?

Well, to start off, dentures are almost like your natural teeth. Place some emphasis on the "almost" part. You need to clean them regularly like you do your natural teeth, but since they aren't the same material as your natural teeth; the cleaning procedure is a bit different. Remove the dentures from your mouth and clean the gums and tongue with a toothbrush with soft bristles. You can even use gauze to get rid of any glue if you used it. Do not forget to rinse your dentures after eating. Make sure you have a towel on the side and water in the sink, so you don't harm your dentures if they slip out of your hand.

Use special denture cleaners to wash them. Don't use these materials while the dentures are in your mouth as they are not good for you. Most dentures need moisture to stay moist to retain their shape. For this reason, it is important to keep them moist. Moreover, do not use regular toothpaste as it can harm the dentures.

• To Take Out or Not To Take Out?

To answer the question whether or not you need to remove the dentures at night, well it depends. Ask your dentist if the manufacturer requires you to soak them in water during the night in a special solution or water? Discuss how you can store your dentures in particular. You can sleep in with them in your mouth, but it is preferable that you remove them and keep them in a moist environment.

If you are still confused, you can always consult your dentist and get the information you need. Do not forget your regular checkups so that the dentists can find and assess problems that may occur with time.

So…

For more information or to schedule an appointment with Gateway Dental Dr. William Swann DDS, request an appointment in our Bowie dental office here: http://www.gatewaydental.org. Or call us at (301) 485-7492.