Do You Wear Your Dentures To Bed?

For denture wearers, wearing dentures to bed is the same as people with natural teeth not brushing before bedtime. It just seems the easy thing to do. However, just as not brushing before bed can be damaging to your oral and dental health, wearing your dentures to bed can be damaging to your physical health. Read on as your Reno dentists, Dr. William Wager and Dr. Brian Evans explain why you shouldn’t wear your dentures to bed.

Denture Wearers

Do you wear your dentures to bed? If so, why? Are they so comfortable you forget you have them in? Or are you just too tired to take them out and give them their nightly cleaning? It’s true today’s dentures may be so comfortable you can wear them to bed, but wearing them to bed can compromise your health.

How?

According to a study published in the Journal of Dental Research those denture wearers who sleep with their dentures in, are twice as likely to develop pneumonia. The study lasted three years and followed 524 men and women. Forty one percent slept with their dentures in at night. The study found that the 41 percent who slept with their dentures in were twice as likely to develop pneumonia. Throughout the three years there were 20 deaths and 28 hospitalizations due to pneumonia. The average age of study participants was 88.

Not Just Pneumonia

There are other reasons seniors should not wear their dentures while sleeping. They include:

• Gingival inflammation
• Tongue plaque
• Denture plaque
• The fact that their dentures can push plaque deeper into their gum line
• Wearing dentures at night puts extra pressure on their jaw bone
• Wearing dentures at night puts extra pressure on their gums
• Wearing dentures at night puts extra pressure on their natural teeth

For all of these reasons, dentures should not be worn while sleeping, and these areas should also be routinely cleaned to avoid gum irritation, additional bone loss, and tissue loss.

About Your Reno Dentists

Dr. William Wager, Dr. Brian Evans, and our highly experienced team at Wager Evans Dental are devoted to our patients and their families, and dedicated to providing first-rate dental care in a comfortable, inviting environment. Located in Reno, we proudly welcome residents from Spanish Springs, Sparks, Incline Village, Dayton, Fernley, and all surrounding communities. To schedule a consultation or your next dental appointment, visit our office, or contact us today by calling (775) 800-4845.

About The Author

Dr. Brian Evans

Dr. Brian Evans, the current owner of Wager Evans Dental, initially worked as a CPA before transitioning to dentistry to make a greater impact on people's lives. He joined his father-in-law to expand a three-decade-long legacy in the northern Nevada community, eventually taking over the practice. Dr. Evans prioritizes a comfortable environment for his patients and stays at the forefront of dental technology and medical techniques through continuous education and advanced training, focusing on oral and systemic health.

Read The Full Bio