If you’re wondering whether it’s safe, or advisable, to wear your dentures while you sleep, the short answer is generally, no. Most dental professionals strongly recommend removing dentures at night, and there are several good reasons why.
Why you shouldn’t sleep in your dentures
There are a number of reasons why you shouldn’t sleep in your dentures. These include:
Increased risk of infection: If you leave your dentures in overnight, bacteria and yeast can build up underneath them. The warm, enclosed environment created while you sleep encourages microbial growth. This increases your risk of denture stomatitis, gum irritation, and general soreness. Instead, by taking your dentures out at night, you allow the tissues in your mouth to remain clean and reduce the likelihood of infection.
Constant pressure on your gums and bone: Your dentures place pressure on your gums and supporting bone throughout the day. This means that if you continue wearing them overnight, your mouth will have no opportunity to rest. Over time, this constant pressure can lead to sore spots or accelerate natural bone resorption. Instead, by removing your dentures, you give your gums a chance to recover, which may help maintain comfort and support a better denture fit in the long term.
Potential respiratory issues: If you sleep with your dentures in, you may increase your risk of respiratory infections, especially as you get older. This is because bacteria on the dentures can be inhaled during sleep. As such, removing them overnight helps reduce this risk and supports better overall hygiene.
Improved oral hygiene: Taking your dentures out makes it easier to clean them properly. This is because plaque, food particles and debris often collect under the denture during the day, and if you do not remove them at night, these deposits will stay trapped. This can result in gum irritation and bad breath. As a result, a nightly removal and cleaning routine helps keep both your mouth and dentures in better condition.
Professional advice: Most dental professionals recommend that you remove your dentures before bed unless you have been advised otherwise for a specific clinical reason. Allowing your mouth time to rest is an important part of long-term oral care.
Can you leave your dentures in steradent overnight?
It is not recommended to leave your dentures in Steradent or similar effervescent cleaning tablets overnight. These products are designed for short soaking periods only.
Steradent produces a strong cleaning solution that works well for stain and plaque removal, but prolonged exposure can weaken the acrylic and cause surface damage. This may affect the appearance, smoothness and long-term durability of your dentures.
To avoid these problems, you should follow the manufacturer’s instructions and limit soaking to the recommended time. After soaking, you can brush and rinse your dentures before storing them in plain water.
In summary, leave Steradent to do its job in short, controlled soaks rather than continuous overnight exposure
Can you leave your dentures in mouthwash overnight?
Leaving your dentures in mouthwash overnight is not advisable. Most mouthwashes contain ingredients such as alcohol or essential oils, that are not designed for long-term contact with denture materials. In fact, extended soaking can dry out or damage the acrylic, or cause the colour to fade.
In addition, standard mouthwash does not clean dentures effectively enough to replace proper denture-cleaning products. If you prefer not to use a tablet-based cleaner every night, plain cool water is a safer option for overnight storage.
Can you leave your dentures in water overnight?
Yes! Storing dentures in water overnight is one of the safest and most recommended options.
By keeping them in water, you can prevent the acrylic from drying out. This can prevent them from warping, cracking or changing shape, which often occurs when dentures become too dry, and has a negative impact on the fit. Using clean, cool water is all you need. It is best to change the water each day to keep it fresh.
If you use a cleaning solution as part of your nightly routine, you can soak the dentures for the recommended time and then switch them to water for overnight storage.
A recommended night-time routine for denture care
To keep your dentures and mouth in good condition, you can follow this simple routine:
- Remove your dentures before going to bed, unless your clinician has given you specific instructions not to.
- Brush your dentures gently with a soft brush and a non-abrasive cleanser to remove plaque and debris.
- Use a short soak in a denture-cleaning solution if you choose to, and follow the stated soaking time carefully.
- Store your dentures in fresh, cool water overnight.
So, can you leave dentures in overnight?
No, you should avoid wearing your dentures overnight. Removing them each evening helps prevent infections, reduces pressure on your gums and bone, improves hygiene, and supports the long-term fit and condition of the dentures. Water remains the safest option for storing dentures while you sleep.
For professional and reliable complete and partial dentures, repairs and realigns, and copy dentures, get in touch with Blackpool’s leading denture specialists, here at RJ Denture Clinic.