Modern dentures are so comfortable that most people forget they are even wearing them. That's great during day-to-day life, but it often means that people take to sleeping in their dentures. This could be because they forget to remove them or simply because they don't appreciate the need to do so; in any case, sleeping with your dentures should be considered a definite no-no.
Here are just four serious conditions that can arise as a consequence of keeping your dentures in while you're sleeping.
1. Pneumonia
A recent study published in the Journal of Dental Research found that seniors (defined by researchers as those of 85 years or more) exhibited twice the risk of developing pneumonia if they wore their dentures at night. This is likely due to the fact it is easier for pneumonia-causing bacteria to flourish in dentures that go unplaced in a cleaning agent during the night, and such bacteria can be easily transferred from mouth to lungs while you breathe.
2. Denture Stomatitis
Denture stomatitis is actually an infection caused by a yeast or fungus known as candida. Such infections can occur in other parts of the body, but incidences localised in the mouth are usually referred to as denture stomatitis since it is dentures that often cause the condition. Again, this is often due to the fact that dentures have been allowed to collect contaminants without the mouth getting a chance to breathe during sleep.
3. Blocked Airways
Though unlikely, it is possible that even the most comfortable and well-fitted pair of dentures could become detached as you're snoozing. This is particularly dangerous if you only wear a partial denture since the smaller size may allow what falls out to actually become trapped within your windpipe, something that could easily prove fatal. However, even whole sets can impair your ability to breathe if they come out while you're sleeping.
4. Bone Loss
Dentures place pressure on both the gums and the bony ridges that lie beneath them. This can cause resorption, which is characterised by a decrease in bone volume and density. Though this is a problem that can be faced by anyone wearing dentures, the risk is much greater if dentures are worn 24 hours each day since the pressure will be continuous. Eventually, the jaw bone resorption can become serious enough to make it impossible for a stable fitting denture to be worn.
There are more than two ways to straighten a smile, and in this blog, I plan to discuss them all. I plan to look at the differences between braces and retainers and explain why sometimes you may need them both. I look at the differences in cost, time commitment and efficacy. Personally, I have had a bit of experience with this subject – I had braces as a young teen, and I had a permanent retainer. In this blog, I discuss what I have learned, and I present all kinds of new information on the topic. Whether you are trying to make decisions for yourself or your child. I hope you find this information useful.