At the end of a long day, anything that comes between you and going to sleep as soon as possible can become a huge hassle. Maybe you’ve brushed your dentures for the night and are wondering if you really need to soak them. Perhaps you can’t find the cup you usually keep them in or the cleaning solution you usually use. Is soaking your dentures really that important? In short, yes! Soaking dentures in water or cleaning solution is vital to keeping them in good working order and keeping you healthy! Read on to learn why soaking your dentures overnight is so important, and some important do’s and don’ts to keep them functioning properly.
Top Reasons to Soak Your Dentures
There are plenty of reasons to soak your dentures overnight. Here are 3 of the biggest ones:
- Keeps them in the right shape. Dentures are designed to spend most of their time inside your mouth, where your saliva constantly keeps them moist. When you take them out and don’t soak them, they will dry out and lose their shape. If the shape of your dentures is incorrect, they won’t adhere to your gums as well, will become uncomfortable to wear, and make it more difficult to speak and eat.
- Kills 99.9% of the bacteria they collect. As your dentures sit in your mouth, they collect bacteria. Brushing and rinsing them daily will clean most of the bacteria off, but not all of it. Although your dentures look solid, they actually contain many little pockmarks that collect bacteria where brushing can’t reach. If it’s allowed to build up over time, infections and health problems can develop. Soaking your dentures will ensure that every nook and cranny is cleaned out and disinfected.
- Gives your gums a rest. Though they do their best to resemble natural teeth, dentures can’t mimic them exactly. Unlike natural teeth, they sit on top of your gums and apply pressure to them directly whenever in use. When you take your dentures out and soak them overnight, it gives your gums a chance to rest and recuperate, keeping them from becoming sore and irritated.
Denture Soaking Do’s and Don’ts
Don’t just throw your dentures in any glass of water! Follow these do’s and don’ts to keep your dentures safe and functional.
- Don’t soak them in hot water.
- Don’t soak them in household cleaners or products containing bleach.
- Do soak your dentures in cleaning solution or water every single night.
- Do ask your dentist which soaking solution is best for your particular type of dentures.
Although it may seem like a trivial task, soaking your dentures is essential to keeping you and your new teeth in tip-top shape!
About the Author
Dr. Kimberly Dennis is our in-office prosthodontist here in Ormond Beach, FL. She is a graduate of the University of Florida College of Dentistry and the Texas A&M (Baylor) College of Dentistry. Her state-of-the-art training enables her to restore and replace lost or damaged teeth with a variety of services, including dentures. If you have any questions about caring for your dentures, she can be reached via her website or at (386) 677-1046.