Congratulations on your new dentures! Restoring your smile and chewing capabilities is exciting, and hopefully very comfortable, too. In fact, they may look and feel so good that you might never want to take them out. But wearers beware: just because they fit well doesn’t mean you can keep them in your mouth 24/7.
Here’s why it’s so important to take your dentures out every day as prescribed!
The First Few Days
When it comes to wearing dentures, you should always remove them every night while you sleep. The one exception to this rule is when you first get a pair of temporary dentures after tooth extraction. During these crucial first few days, it is recommended that you wear them round the clock to help stop bleeding and swelling, and to help your bones conform to wearing a denture. Once this initial period has passed, however, you should stick to a regular schedule of soaking them each night.
The Benefits of Removing Your Dentures
So, why can’t you keep dentures in all the time? There are many reasons for this. First, you should be removing them twice a day to brush them. This will not only keep them looking and smelling great, but it will also make them last longer and prevent damage like stains or discoloration.
Another reason you should remove your dentures daily is so that they don’t dry out. When they do, they can become cracked or warped, which usually is not fixable. Then you’ll need to replace them with a new pair, which can be very costly!
Finally, there are health benefits to removing your dentures, too. Though dentures can help slow jawbone deterioration if worn as prescribed, if you wear them too frequently you can have the opposite effect. In fact, it can accelerate degradation, increasing the risk of needing a bone grafting procedure to restore your jaw.
Remember, your new dentures are supposed to make you look and feel great, but that doesn’t mean that you should be wearing them round the clock. Be sure to remove them nightly and soak them in water or denture soak and remove them to clean them once or twice a day. This will not only extend their life, but it will also keep your mouth and bones healthy, too!
About Dr. Hong
Dr. Joshua Hong is a student of life. As such, he is always pursuing knowledge, whether it’s about dentistry, music, or international cuisine. He is passionate about doing things right and to the best of his abilities, and that is reflected in every smile that he treats.
To learn more about dentures, please visit our website to schedule an appointment or call us today at 623-925-8822.