Give It a Rest: How Long Can You Wear Dentures in One Day?

George Washington would be envious of today’s dental patients. Dentures have come a long way since the days of ivory and animal teeth. Modern versions are made with superior materials and processes, resulting in a product that is almost deceptively comfortable. While you might be tempted to just leave your dentures in for days on end, this can lead to serious health consequences. Read on to learn more about the risks of constant denture wear.

Give That Jaw a Rest

Tooth loss and dentures are already associated with bone loss in the jaw. Without teeth to stimulate it, the jaw atrophies as it does not sufficiently reinforce itself with new bone cell growth. The pressure that dentures add to the bony ridges in the gums can further accelerate that bone loss. This depletion of bone density will gradually loosen your denture’s fit, making wearing them uncomfortable.

Those Gums Need to Breathe

Bacteria like warm, dark, wet places exactly like the space between your dentures and your gums. When you wear your dentures for days on end, you are giving these nasty freeloaders an ideal environment to excrete acid and raise many generations of offspring. This buildup of bacteria can lead to gum disease, a condition that is uncomfortable to begin with and that can spread infection to the rest of the body if left unchecked.

Denture stomatitis is a condition resulting from accumulated bacteria and yeast involving irritation and inflammation of the tissues supporting the dentures. Symptoms include swollen, angry red tissue and a painful burning sensation. This can make the continued wearing of dentures uncomfortable.

Such a crop of germs in your airway can also lead to respiratory infections. To make the situation even worse, that sort of bacterial accumulation will make your breath smell awful.

You and Your Dentures Need Some Time Apart

It’s usually recommended that you wear your dentures continuously for the first few days, including while sleeping. When the initial discomfort ceases and your mouth is used to wearing them, then you should begin removing them before sleep. The tissues supporting your dentures need six to eight hours of rest a day. When you remove them, you give your gums and your jaw some time to rest and undergo your mouth’s natural cleaning process.

Your dentures need to be cleaned and stored properly, which you can’t do if you never take them out. Dentures accumulate bacteria and plaque and must be cleaned daily, just like any other part of your mouth. The buildup of plaque will result in tartar, a hardened crust full of toxins and bacteria. Tartar can become such a problem that it affects the way the dentures fit.

Failure to take care of your dentures and your oral health will cause either one of them to fail. By removing your dentures before bed and giving them their appropriate bath, you maximize both their life expectancy and their aesthetic appeal.

About the Practice

Arbor Dental Care is dedicated to defending the oral health of the people of Lisle, IL. Led by Drs. Frank and Jeanelle Marchese, the team brings the latest techniques and state-of-the-art technology to treat patients with compassion and respect. Services include cosmetic dentistry, preventative dentistry, restorative dentistry, emergency dentistry, and dental implants. If you are curious about the best way to maintain dentures, contact the office online or dial (630) 969-2310.