Do i have to take my dentures out at night? i usually like to read quite a while in bed before i fall asleep, and often fall asleep with my dentures in. is this hard on them? do i need to take them out before i start reading in case i do fall asleep?

Are : Are you a smoker or a moderate drinker, it is very important to let your gums breathe. I always tell my patients to keep them out at least 1 hour per day.

I : I always tell my patients to remove them to let their gums relax a bit. This helps prevent bacteria from growing between the denture and your gums. If you wear them through the night, and do not have any ill effects, then no harm will come to the dentures or to you.

Traditionally : Traditionally the dentures sit in the glass by the bed side, for immediate use during an emergency. The argument was that the gums needed to "breath" and the tissue recover from the trauma of the day. The better made and the better adapted the dentures are to the tissues of the mouth, the less need there is for a rehabilitative period. There is however a need to clean the dentures really well particularly after they have been worn for hours. The tissues will become irritated by failing to clean a denture base well. The dentures should be out for 20 - 40 mins. For this process as an effervescent (oxygen releasing) cleanser is allowed to debride the denture surface. One good argument for leaving the dentures in at night stems from the possibility of over-closing the jaw relationship. This can easily happen with the dentures out of the mouth. Dr neil mcleod dds dentistry that lasts - quality that counts.

You : You dont ever need to remove your dentures except to clean them and your mouth. It is perfectly fine to wear a comfortable set of dentures to bed. In fact, many of the spouses of my denture patients never see them without teeth. Some dont even know that their significant other wears dentures. Enjoy having teeth 24/7!

Yes: For optimal health and slower bone loss you must remove your dentures at night , or any other 6 - 8 hour continuous period of your choice. The tissues need to rest, regain the lost fluid ('plump back up') and air out and get bathed in saliva.