Can You Sleep With Dentures? Professional Advice From Experts

Have you ever wondered if you can sleep with your dentures in? While it may seem like a small question, the answer is more complicated than you think. It’s important to consider the potential risks and benefits of sleeping with dentures to decide how to care for them. In this blog post, we’ll discuss everything you need to know about safely sleeping with dentures overnight – from tips on cleaning them before bedtime to understanding what happens when they are worn overnight. Whether you’re looking for helpful advice or just curious about the topic, stay tuned and dive into our comprehensive guide!

Overview of Dentures and their Uses

Dentures come in various forms depending on the needs and affordability of each individual. There are partial dentures that replace a single tooth or range of teeth and full dentures that replace all upper or lower jaw teeth or both. Partial dentures are made to fit around the remaining natural teeth, while complete dentures sit directly on the gums. Implant-supported dentures are another type that requires grafting or screwing the dental plate into the jawbone. The type of denture you choose depends on your budget, oral health condition, and preference.

Dentures cater to different needs, depending on the individual’s circumstances. They can be custom-made to match the wearer’s natural teeth, or they can be made to look more aesthetically pleasing than the original teeth. Dentures can also improve the wearer’s ability to eat and speak more clearly and confidently. Besides, wearing dentures prevents remaining teeth from shifting position and helps maintain the integrity of the jaw bone. However, adjusting to new dentures can take time, effort, and patience. You might experience some discomfort, speech changes, and dietary restrictions.

One of the main concerns for denture wearers is whether they can sleep with them on. The short answer is that it is possible but not recommended. Wearing dentures while sleeping may cause oral infections, gum irritation, or bad breath. It can also be a choking hazard due to saliva and mucus build-up during sleep. However, some denture wearers who find it hard to adjust to sleeping without them might prefer to keep them on at night. If you wear them while sleeping, you should remove and clean your dentures before bedtime, soak them in a denture cleanser solution, and brush them gently after soaking.

Denture care requires diligence, commitment, and proper oral hygiene practices. To keep your dentures in good condition and ensure that they last, you should rinse them with water or a special denture cleaning solution after every meal, brush your gums and tongue regularly with a soft-bristled brush, and avoid exposing them to extreme temperatures or hard and sticky foods. You should also visit your prosthetist for regular check-ups and refit if necessary.

Tips for Sleeping with Dentures

One of the most commonly asked questions by people with dentures is whether they can sleep with them. The answer is yes! But there are certain tips that one must follow to ensure a comfortable and healthy night’s sleep. This section will discuss some valuable tips that will help you sleep comfortably with your dentures on.

Clean Your Dentures Before Bed

Cleaning your dentures before going to bed is crucial. Like natural teeth, dentures require regular cleaning to avoid stains and plaque build-up. Make sure you brush your dentures thoroughly with a denture brush and rinse them with clean water to eliminate any sticky food particles. Also, dry your dentures before going to bed, as wet dentures can increase the chance of gum inflammation.

Consider the Right Adhesive

Using a denture adhesive is essential to keep your dentures in position. Choose an adhesive that fits well with your dentures and is comfortable. It ensures that your dentures do not dislodge or move around while sleeping. Denture adhesive provides maximum hold and keeps it in place, so you do not have to stress about them falling out while you sleep.

Use a Denture Cleaner

If you want to keep your dentures clean, use a good quality denture cleaner. They remove any bacteria or stains that may have built up on your dentures throughout the day, making them shine like day one.

A clean set of dentures ensures you do not experience discomfort or bad smell while sleeping and keeps your gums healthy.

Keep Your Mouth Moist

Sleeping with a dry mouth increases the chance of gum disease, mouth ulcers, and other discomforts. Place a glass of water near your bed to quickly quench your dry mouth. You can also use talcum powder to absorb any moisture that may accumulate around your mouth.

Maintain Good Oral Hygiene

Oral hygiene is essential, especially when you have dentures or dental implants. Neglecting to take care of your oral health elevates the risk of gum infection, inflammation, and pain. Brush your natural teeth and gums twice daily using a soft-bristled toothbrush, and use mouthwash to keep your breath fresh.

Possible Challenges When Wearing Dentures at Night

Dentures can improve your confidence by restoring your smile and the functionality of your mouth. However, it’s common to encounter various challenges when wearing dentures, especially at night. In this section, we explore some difficulties you can encounter with wearing dentures at night and how to manage them.

Discomfort

Dentures are foreign objects that your mouth may take some time to get used to. The first few days or weeks may be uncomfortable as your mouth adapts to the dentures’ presence. This discomfort can worsen at night when you’re lying down and adjusting to the new sensations in your mouth. Solution: Try taking your dentures out for a while during the day to give your mouth some rest, and gradually increase the time you wear them. Also, ensure your dentures fit properly, as loose-fitting dentures can increase discomfort.

Excessive Salivation

Wearing a partial denture at night might cause an increase in salivation levels, leading to a feeling of choking or gagging. This is because dentures can introduce new sensations to the mouth, making it more sensitive to saliva production. Solution: Try swallowing more often; this will help reduce excessive salivation. Also, consider seeing your prosthetist to see if they can adjust your dentures to help reduce your saliva production.

Difficulty Sleeping

It’s not uncommon for people who wear dentures to experience problems sleeping at night. This is mostly due to the discomfort or pain caused by the dentures. Solution: Ensure that your dentures fit correctly, as loose-fitting dentures can cause discomfort.

Also, consider taking some over-the-counter painkillers before sleeping to help manage pain caused by denture stomatitis.

Dry Mouth

Another challenge for people who wear partial dentures is that they can dry their mouths at night. This is because dentures trap air around your teeth and don’t allow the mouth’s natural moisture to come in. As a result, your mouth can dry up, making sleeping uncomfortable. Solution: Consider using a mouth rinse designed to moisturise your mouth while sleeping.

Damage to Dentures

Another problem you might encounter when sleeping with your dentures is damage. Grinding your teeth at night or simply moving your mouth around can cause your dentures to move and become damaged or even broken. Solution: Wear a nightguard to protect your dentures from movement or grinding. You can have your prosthetist custom-make a nightguard for you or get one that fits over your dentures.

Conclusion

Whether dentures are the right choice for you depends on a few factors. Everyone is unique in their individual oral health needs, and making sure you have the support of your Prosthetist is key to getting the most out of any dental appliance. Talk to your Prosthetist about how dentures can improve your quality of life and why they may be best for you. If you’re still unsure whether you can sleep with dentures, contact us on these numbers below, and we’ll be more than happy to answer any remaining questions! Remember, there is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to oral health. By engaging with an experienced dental professional, together, you can decide on a course of treatment that will best suit your own needs. It’s never too late to take control of your smiles today!

Buderim: (07) 5317 1023
Caloundra: (07) 5315 8076

References

Dentures: Types (Partial and Complete), Cost, Cleaning, and More
https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/dental-health-dentures

Dentures – Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dentures

Can You Sleep With Dentures? Professional Advice From The Experts