As time has gone on, dentures have only gotten more and more comfortable. Today, you can expect your prosthetic to fit so easily over your gums that you might even forget you’re wearing them.
As easy as dentures are to wear, you can’t necessarily keep them on 24/7. There are occasions where taking them out is important, even critical. If you are getting a set of prosthetics soon, here’s what you should know about how much you should be wearing them.
Why is it Important to Take Out My Dentures?
While modern dentures are designed exceedingly well, they still inevitably put a lot of pressure on your gums while you’re wearing them. You should be fairly used to this after a few weeks of having them, but overusing them can still lead to sore spots on your gums.
If you never take out your dentures, you also run the risk of bacteria building up under your prosthetic, which can lead to serious gum disease or other kinds of illness. Diligently brushing your prosthetic each day and leaving it to soak in a denture cleaning solution whenever possible is essential to proper maintenance.
How Many Hours a Day Should I Be Wearing Dentures?
For the most part, it’s strongly recommended that you take out your dentures to soak each night. Your prosthetic doesn’t do you very much good while you’re sleeping, so it’s a smart idea to use that time to give your gums a break.
There are a wide variety of denture-soaking solutions designed specifically to disinfect your prosthetic as you sleep, and your dentist would be happy to give you a recommendation for a brand that will work.
How to Use Denture Cleaning Solution
When you’re ready to take your dentures out for the night, you can prepare the soaking solution. You should either pour the liquid solution into a glass or, if you’re using tablets or powder, dissolve them in a bowl of warm water. Be sure to take note of the manufacturer’s instructions to determine whether there are any special instructions to consider.
Once that’s done, take out your dentures and rinse them under the faucet. Place them in the soaking solution, then go to bed—the next day, you should brush them and rinse them off to loosen up any stubborn plaque deposits.
If you incorporate this habit into your routine, your dentures will stay healthy and bacteria-free for a long time to come!
About the Author
Dr. George Hoop has spent the last 30 years using the power of excellent dentistry to make his patients smile, and every day he has spent on the job has only contributed to his skills as a clinician. There’s nothing he loves more than seeing the face of a patient he’s been able to help. Dr. Hoop received his degree from the Emory University School of Dentistry. Since then he has studied extensively at the Pankey Institute and the Dawson Academy.
If you have any questions about dentures, he can be reached at his website or by phone at (239) 939-7299.